GB-Wide Leader Approval Comparison — May 2026
All three main leaders net negativeNet approval = % approve minus % disapprove. GB-wide polling. Source: YouGov / Ipsos tracker, May 2026.
Main Party Leaders
Keir Starmer
In office since July 2024. Approval has fallen consistently since taking office, driven by cost-of-living pressures and the winter fuel cut controversy.
Kemi Badenoch
Conservative leader since November 2024. Among the three main leaders, Badenoch holds the least negative approval rating at −15 net, despite being the newest leader.
Nigel Farage
The most polarising figure in UK politics. Nationally −20 net, but +78 among Reform voters. His approval splits almost entirely along Brexit and age divides.
Minor Party & Scottish Leaders
Rachel Reeves
First female Chancellor. Approval fell sharply after the October 2024 Budget and winter fuel cut. Economy trust now trails Reform UK by 12 points nationally.
Ed Davey
Best-rated of the three main GB-wide leaders at +5 net. Led Lib Dems to 72 seats in 2024. Blue Wall strategy, South West stronghold. Some squeeze from Green surge.
Carla Denyer
Highest net approval of any UK politician nationally at +8. Green surge from 7% to 15% VI. Dominates among under-35 voters. Bristol West and university cities stronghold.
John Swinney
Scotland-only net approval −5. SNP at 31% in Scotland vs Scottish Labour 33%. Holyrood 2026 election will be the most competitive in over a decade.
Anas Sarwar
Scotland-only net approval +12 — highest in Scotland. Scottish Labour won 37 seats in 2024. Now leads SNP in VI polls ahead of Holyrood 2026. Potential First Minister.
Cabinet Ministers & Former Prime Ministers
Angela Rayner
Deputy PM and Housing Secretary since July 2024. Cleared of NI misconduct in May 2024. Overseeing 1.5 million homes target and Renters Rights Act. Net approval -25.
Wes Streeting
Health Secretary since July 2024. Ended junior doctor strikes in weeks. Controversial NHS private sector expansion plan. Best-performing major Cabinet minister at -18 net.
Rishi Sunak
Led Conservatives to worst defeat since 1832 at GE 2024, losing 251 seats. Announced he will leave Parliament at the next election. Legacy rating -35 net.
Boris Johnson
Partygate approval collapse: peak +40 (vaccine rollout) to -40 (Feb 2022). Brexit and Ukraine legacy vs conduct in office. Left Parliament 2023. Legacy rating -45 net.
Side-by-Side Approval Table
May 2026| Leader | Party | Role | Approve | Disapprove | Net | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keir Starmer | Labour | Prime Minister | 28% | 63% | −35 | ▼ Falling |
| Rachel Reeves | Labour | Chancellor of the Exchequer | 31% | 59% | −28 | ▼ Falling |
| Kemi Badenoch | Conservative | Leader of the Opposition | 32% | 47% | −15 | ▬ Stable |
| Nigel Farage | Reform UK | Party Leader & MP | 35% | 55% | −20 | ▲ Rising |
| Ed Davey | Lib Dems | Party Leader & MP | 38% | 33% | +5 | ▬ Stable |
| Carla Denyer | Green | Co-Leader & MP | 39% | 31% | +8 | ▲ Rising |
| John Swinney | SNP | Scottish First Minister | 38% | 43% | −5 | ▼ Falling (SCO) |
| Anas Sarwar | Scottish Labour | Scottish Labour Leader | 50% | 38% | +12 | ▲ Rising (SCO) |
Source: YouGov/Ipsos GB-wide tracker; Savanta Scotland for Swinney and Sarwar. Net approval = approve minus disapprove. May 2026.
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