Keir Starmer’s approval rating plummets by 49 points in just 115 days, setting a new record for post-election disappointment.
At a Glance
- Starmer’s approval rating dropped from +11 to -38 in less than four months
- This marks the fastest decline for any modern British Prime Minister
- Factors include withdrawal of winter heating payments and mass prisoner release
- Upcoming budget with tax hikes is deeply unpopular among voters
- Only a fifth of Britons trust politicians to address national challenges
Unprecedented Decline in Approval
Sir Keir Starmer’s honeymoon period as the UK’s Prime Minister has come to an abrupt and historic end. In a stunning turn of events, Starmer’s approval rating has nosedived by 49 points in just 115 days, marking the most rapid decline for any British Prime Minister in modern history.
This free fall from grace began shortly after Starmer secured his position as Labour Party leader in July, winning with the lowest popular vote in nearly a century.
The stark contrast between Starmer’s initial +11 post-election approval rating and his current -38 standing is nothing short of alarming. To put this into perspective, even David Cameron, who faced significant challenges during his tenure, took two years to reach similar low approval ratings. Boris Johnson, on the other hand, managed to increase his popularity post-election, making Starmer’s decline all the more striking.
Factors Behind the Free Fall
Several key factors have contributed to Starmer’s unprecedented approval decline. The withdrawal of winter heating payments, a move that directly impacts vulnerable populations, has sparked outrage among voters. Additionally, a controversial mass prisoner release program has raised serious concerns about public safety and the government’s priorities.
Further damaging Starmer’s reputation are reports of government members accepting freebies, which has led to accusations of impropriety and eroded public trust. These missteps, combined with a looming budget that includes unpopular tax hikes, have created a perfect storm of public dissatisfaction.
It’s like Labour won the election and decided to do absolutely everything they could to make the British people angry.
Public Opinion and Economic Concerns
The British public’s priorities are clear: 53% prefer low taxes over increased investment in public services. This sentiment puts Starmer’s government in a difficult position as they attempt to navigate complex economic challenges. Even more concerning is that 56% of the population believes the budget can avoid both tax rises and spending cuts, a view that may be overly optimistic given the current economic realities.
“53 per cent say the priority should be keeping taxes low compared to 32 per cent who prioritize investing in public services – putting the Government in a difficult bind,” researchers from More in Common said.
This disconnect between public expectations and economic realities is exacerbating the erosion of trust in Starmer’s leadership. The Prime Minister now faces the daunting task of implementing necessary but potentially unpopular economic measures while attempting to regain the public’s confidence.
Now, you might be thinking, “they got what they voted for” – but you’d only be half right.
The British people didn’t vote for Labour so much as they voted against the governing Conservative Party…a party that was in government for 14 years and oversaw a massive growth in the size of government. And a huge increase in immigration, too.