Liz Truss is already more unpopular than Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn ever was, according to a YouGov poll released on Wednesday (October 5). The poll shows just 14% of the public now say they have a favourable impression of the Prime Minister compared with 26% who said so between 21-22 September.
The poll may make grim reading for Team Truss. Nearly three-quarters – 73% – now see the Prime Minister in an unfavourable light, including more than half – 55% – who see her very unfavourably.
That gives her a net favourability rating of minus 59, depths not plumbed by Mr Johnson, who hit minus 53 in July or Mr Corbyn who fell to minus 55 in June 2019. YouGov surveyed 1,751 British adults on October 1-2.
It is usual for incoming prime ministers to enjoy a honeymoon period of buoyant and optimistic polling. Truss appears to have bucked this trend.
In the first month of her job, Truss is also less popular than the Conservative Party, which has a net favourability score of -50. This has plummeted from -33 in September’s poll.
The party is viewed as favourable by 20% of the public, down from 28% in September. It is not doom and gloom for all parties.
Labour have had the opposite fortune as the party appears to have galvanised support whilst Truss and her government continue to experience uncertain times. YouGov say their poll shows 44% of the public have a favourable view of Labour (up from 37%).
Sir Keir Starmer is much less unpopular than his Conservative rival, being liked by 40% of people (up from 34%). Starmer’s net favourability score is now -7, up from -17, while Labour stands at -2, up from -12.
It has been a rollercoaster week in politics following Kwasi Kwarteng's controversial 'mini-budget'. The Chancellor's U-turn to abolish the 45p tax rate for high earners did not come soon enough to prevent a drop in popularity for Kwarteng.
YouGov say their poll shows Kwarteng is liked by just 11% of the public, although around a quarter of the public (24%) say they did not know enough about him to form an opinion.
