Farage’s national net approval of −15 masks a dramatic split. Among Reform UK voters he scores +78 net approval. Among Labour voters, his net approval is −65. No other UK leader in modern polling history shows this degree of divergence between base and general electorate.
Approval Trend: July 2024 – May 2026
▲ Slowly rising nationallyNet approval among GB adults. Source: composite YouGov/Ipsos monthly polls.
Monthly Approval Data
| Month | Approve | Disapprove | Net | Reform VI | Key Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2024 | 30% | 58% | −28 | 14% | Reform wins 5 seats including Farage’s Clacton |
| Sep 2024 | 31% | 56% | −25 | 16% | Farage launches “Next Steps” domestic policy platform |
| Nov 2024 | 32% | 55% | −23 | 19% | Badenoch elected Con leader; Reform holds lead on right |
| Jan 2025 | 33% | 55% | −22 | 22% | Reform polls above Conservatives for first time consistently |
| Apr 2025 | 34% | 55% | −21 | 24% | Local elections: Reform makes dramatic council gains |
| Sep 2025 | 35% | 55% | −20 | 26% | Reform UK national conference; Farage outlines PM ambition |
| May 2026 | 35% | 50% | −15 | 28% | Reform leads all parties nationally; Farage personal rating improves to −15 |
Approval by Voter Group: The Polarisation Divide
Most polarising UK leader in modern pollingNet approval by 2024 vote/demographic. Source: YouGov cross-tabs, May 2026.
Issue Trust Ratings
% of voters trusting Farage on each issue| Issue | Farage (Reform) | Starmer (Labour) | Badenoch (Con) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immigration | 38% | 10% | 22% | Reform dominant |
| Cost of Living | 29% | 18% | 20% | Reform lead |
| Brexit Legacy | 29% | 14% | 31% | Con narrow lead |
| Economy & Growth | 22% | 22% | 26% | Con narrow lead |
| Housing | 20% | 21% | 19% | Three-way tie |
| NHS & Healthcare | 8% | 31% | 18% | Labour dominant |
| Climate & Environment | 4% | 28% | 16% | Labour dominant |
Source: YouGov issue tracker, May 2026.
The Reform UK Surge: Farage as Driving Force
Reform UK doubled its vote share in under two years, from 14% at the General Election to 26% in national polls.
72% of Reform UK voters say Nigel Farage personally is the main reason they support the party. This leader-dependency is unique in British politics.
Reform won 5 seats in July 2024 on 14% of the vote. At current polling, seat projection models show 80–150 seats at a 2029 general election.
Farage’s personal brand is central to Reform UK’s identity in a way that distinguishes it from other UK parties. Unlike Labour or the Conservatives, where the leader is distinct from the party institution, Reform UK’s polling surge is almost entirely driven by Farage’s personal profile. This creates a structural risk: if Farage were to step down, polling suggests Reform’s support could fall by 8–12 percentage points.
About Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage is the leader of Reform UK and MP for Clacton, having won the seat at the July 2024 General Election. He is one of the most prominent figures in UK politics of the past three decades, having led UKIP from 2006 to 2009 and from 2010 to 2016, and played a central role in the campaign to leave the European Union.
Farage’s approval ratings are defined by extreme polarisation. Nationally he scores −15 net approval, with 35% approving and 50% disapproving in May 2026. But this national figure conceals a dramatic split: among Reform UK voters, his net approval is +78. Among Labour voters, it is −89. No other UK political leader in modern polling history shows this degree of divergence between their base and the general electorate.
The divide tracks closely with age, education and Brexit vote. Farage polls strongest among voters aged over 55, those without a university degree, and those who voted Leave in the 2016 referendum. He polls weakest among 18–34 year olds, graduates and residents of London and major university cities. His issue dominance on immigration (38% trust him most on the issue nationally) is the single strongest issue lead of any leader across any policy area.
Reform UK’s voting intention of 28% in May 2026 — up from 14% at the 2024 General Election — represents the fastest rise of any party in UK modern polling history over a comparable period. Farage is the primary architect of this surge: polling consistently finds that around 72% of Reform voters cite Farage personally as a primary reason for their support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nigel Farage’s approval rating?
Nationally, Farage has a net approval rating of −15 (35% approve, 50% disapprove) as of May 2026. However among Reform UK voters his net approval is +78, reflecting extreme polarisation between his core base and the wider electorate.
Why is Farage so polarising in UK politics?
Farage draws extremely strong support from older, Leave-voting, working-class voters outside major cities, while registering deeply negative ratings among younger, urban and university-educated voters. His rhetoric on immigration, cultural issues and the political establishment has cemented this divide since at least 2013.
How is Reform UK surge connected to Farage?
Reform UK rose from 14% at the 2024 General Election to 26% by May 2026. 72% of Reform voters say Farage personally is the main reason they support the party. Seat projection models suggest 80–150 seats at a 2029 election, enough for kingmaker status in a hung parliament.
Is Farage planning to become Prime Minister?
As of June 2026, Farage has not formally declared a leadership bid for the next general election. However his Reform UK conference speech in September 2025 was widely interpreted as a de facto campaign launch. Current polling projections place Reform as a potential kingmaker in a hung parliament scenario.
Which demographics support Farage most and least?
Farage’s strongest support is among over-55 voters (+18 net approval), Leave 2016 voters (+42 net), and working-class voters outside major cities. His weakest ratings are among 18–34 year olds (−48 net), graduates in major cities (−71 net), and Labour voters (−89 net). This demographic divide is more extreme than any other current UK political leader.
What are Reform UK’s main policy positions?
Under Farage, Reform UK’s policies include a net zero immigration target, scrapping net zero climate commitments, raising the income tax threshold to £20,000, opposing further NHS privatisation while calling for reform, increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP, restoring the winter fuel payment for all pensioners, and opposing what the party calls two-tier policing. Reform UK polling →
Explore More
Reform UK Polling
Full voting intention tracker and electoral analysis for Reform UK’s surge from 14% to 26%.
Keir Starmer Ratings
Starmer’s approval at 39%, down from 50% at election. Full trend, demographic breakdown and issue trust.
Immigration Polling
Farage leads all politicians on immigration trust at 38%. Full issue polling breakdown.
Video: Further Analysis
Video: Leader approval ratings for all major UK politicians — how the public views Starmer, Farage, Badenoch, Davey and others in May 2026.