Labour Continues to Enjoy Sizeable Poll Lead at Start of 2023

Opinium has published its first polling in 2023 for The Observer this weekend with Labour continuing to have a healthy lead over the Conservatives.

When it comes to headline voting intentions, Labour is on 45% with the Conservatives trailing on 29%.

Asked who they feel would make the best Prime Minister, 29% of respondents said Keir Starmer, compared to 26% preferring Rishi Sunak. Overall, Rishi Sunak has a net approval rating of -14 compared to Keir Starmer on +3.

When it comes to strike action on the railways, 46% of respondents said they opposed the strikes, compared to 38% who support them. That said the public still, according to the data, believe the RMT Union is responding best to the strikes. 24% said they approve of the union’s response compared to 17% saying they approve of the Government’s response and 18% approving of the way the Labour Party has responded to them. On the plus side for the Government, 34% blame the trade unions for the rail strikes compared to 27% who blame the Government.

When it comes to strikes by nurses, 57% of respondents told Opinium they supported them, compared to 31% opposing them. Just 14% approve of the way the Government has responded to the strike action by nurses, compared to 34% approving of the way the Royal College of Nursing has responded and 19% saying they approve of Labour’s response. Overall, 49% blame the Government for the strike action by nurses compared to 20% who blame the trade unions.

In respect of strike action by ambulance workers, 52% say they support the strike action being taken by them, compared to 35% opposing it.

Looking ahead at potential further groups of public sector workers who might go on strike, 40% would support primary teachers walking out, compared to 43% who would oppose such action. 40% would support strike action by secondary school teachers, compared to 44% who would oppose it. 39% would support strike action by nursery teachers, compared to 42% who would oppose it. Finally, 32% would support head teachers going out on strike, compared to 49% who would oppose such action.

Looking at the various strikes as a whole, 49% blame the Government for them compared to 35% who blame the trade unions.

Finally, when it comes to the Prime Minister’s 5 key priorities for 2023, the most important to the public is cutting NHS waiting lists. Cutting national debt is more of a ‘nice to have’ while 25% say new laws on small boats are not a priority.

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