Source: YouGov/Ipsos tracker, May 2026. GB adults.
Approval Trend: July 2024 – May 2026
▼ Consistent declineNet approval = approve % minus disapprove %. Source: composite of YouGov, Ipsos, Survation monthly polls.
Monthly Approval Data
| Month | Approve | Disapprove | Net | Key Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2024 | 44% | 49% | −5 | Takes office after Labour landslide victory |
| Aug 2024 | 40% | 50% | −10 | Post-election honeymoon fades; riots across English cities |
| Sep 2024 | 37% | 53% | −16 | Gifts row; public perception of double standards emerges |
| Oct 2024 | 34% | 55% | −21 | Autumn Budget; winter fuel payment cut announced |
| Nov 2024 | 32% | 58% | −26 | Pensioner fury at fuel cut; Reform UK polls surge |
| Dec 2024 | 31% | 60% | −29 | NHS winter crisis; waiting lists remain near record highs |
| Jan 2025 | 30% | 61% | −31 | Cost-of-living pressures dominate polling agenda |
| Mar 2025 | 29% | 62% | −33 | Welfare reform controversy; disability benefit changes |
| May 2026 | 28% | 63% | −35 | Labour trails Reform UK and Conservative in VI polls |
Issue Trust Ratings
% of voters trusting Starmer on each issue| Issue | Starmer (Labour) | Badenoch (Con) | Farage (Reform) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHS & Healthcare | 31% | 18% | 8% | Labour lead |
| Climate & Environment | 28% | 16% | 4% | Labour lead |
| Workers’ Rights | 26% | 14% | 18% | Labour lead |
| Economy & Growth | 22% | 26% | 22% | Con narrow lead |
| Housing | 21% | 19% | 20% | Three-way tie |
| Cost of Living | 18% | 20% | 29% | Reform lead |
| Immigration | 10% | 22% | 38% | Reform dominant |
Source: YouGov issue tracker, May 2026. Question: “Which party leader do you trust most to handle [issue]?”
Starmer vs. Other Leaders
Starmer rates lowest of the threeApproval by Demographic Group
By Age Group
Worst ratings among pensioners, driven by winter fuel cut.
By 2024 Vote
Even 2024 Labour voters now rate Starmer net negative.
About Keir Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer became Prime Minister on 5 July 2024, the day after Labour won a landslide general election with 412 seats and 33% of the vote. He had led the Labour Party since April 2020, succeeding Jeremy Corbyn. Before entering politics, Starmer served as Director of Public Prosecutions from 2008 to 2013 and was knighted in 2014.
His first months in office were marked by a series of controversies. A gifts and hospitality row drew accusations of double standards. The decision to means-test the winter fuel payment — removing it from around ten million pensioners — proved politically damaging, with net approval falling sharply through autumn 2024. By December 2024, disapproval had passed 60% and has remained there since.
Labour’s broader polling collapse — from 33% at the 2024 General Election to 18% by May 2026 — has put enormous pressure on the government. The party now trails Reform UK and the Conservatives in national voting intention polls, representing one of the most dramatic mid-term polling collapses in modern British political history.
Starmer’s personal ratings remain weakest on immigration (10% trust nationally), where Reform UK’s Nigel Farage dominates with 38%. His strongest ground is the NHS (31%) and climate policy (28%), both areas where Labour retains issue ownership. Economic management — the traditional battleground of British elections — is now a three-way contest at around 22–26% for each main party.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Keir Starmer’s current approval rating?
As of May 2026, Keir Starmer has a net approval rating of −35%, with 28% of the public approving and 63% disapproving. This places him among the most unpopular sitting Prime Ministers in modern UK polling history at this stage of a Parliament.
Why is Keir Starmer so unpopular?
Polling points to several factors: the decision to cut the winter fuel payment for pensioners caused a sharp drop in approval, particularly among older voters. Cost-of-living pressures, NHS waiting lists and dissatisfaction with the pace of change since July 2024 have all compounded the decline.
How has his approval changed since becoming PM?
Starmer entered office with a net approval of around −5. By October 2024, after the Budget and winter fuel cut, it fell to −21. By May 2026 it stands at −35 — a fall of 30 points in less than two years.
Which issues do voters trust Starmer on?
Starmer scores highest on NHS (31%), climate and environment (28%), and workers’ rights (26%). He scores lowest on immigration (10%), cost of living (18%) and economic management (22%).