UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s popularity has reached an unprecedented low, with only 13% of Britons expressing satisfaction with his performance, according to a recent Ipsos survey. The data, gathered from 1,157 British adults, shows that Starmer’s approval rating has dropped 6 percentage points since June, while disapproval has increased by the same margin. This represents the worst personal satisfaction ratings for any prime minister since the polling firm began tracking the issue in 1977, as stated by Ipsos Senior Director of UK Politics Gideon Skinner.
The decline in Starmer’s approval is attributed to multiple factors, including his handling of immigration, the surge in arrests related to online comments, the ongoing cost of living crisis, and the resurgence of the Pakistani rape gang scandal. These issues have triggered widespread public discontent, leading to a significant portion of the population expressing dissatisfaction with his leadership. The poll also indicates that both the Conservative and Labour parties are losing voters to Reform UK, a rising political force in the UK.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, known for his role in the Brexit movement, has been addressing immigration concerns and has proposed replacing the current system allowing indefinite stay after five years with a visa-based approach. According to a recent YouGov survey, Reform UK would secure 311 seats in a hypothetical general election, just 15 short of an absolute majority in the British House of Commons. Although the next general election is not until 2029, the growing support for Reform UK signals a significant shift in the political landscape.
Mass protests against the migrant influx and demonstrations against the UK’s approach to free speech have become increasingly common in recent months. One notable event was the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally in London earlier this month, where right-wing Britons expressed dissatisfaction with the current government. While the Metropolitan Police estimated attendance to be between 110,000 and 150,000, the event’s organizers claimed as many as three million people attended. Prime Minister Starmer has criticized the use of the UK flag by protesters, asserting that the flag should not be associated with such demonstrations.
The political landscape in the UK is rapidly evolving, with Reform UK gaining traction as both major parties struggle with declining public support. As the next election approaches, the political dynamics are expected to shift significantly, potentially altering the course of UK politics in the coming years.