Net Approval: All Leaders
Approve % minus Disapprove % · May 2026Approve vs Disapprove (Grouped Bar Chart)
Net Approval Spectrum
Positive = more approve than disapprove · May 2026Full Comparison Table
All five leaders · May 2026| Leader | Party | Net Approval | Approve % | Disapprove % | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carla Denyer Co-Leader · Green Party | Green | +8% | 32% | 24% | ▲ +3 vs Jan 26 |
Ed Davey Leader · Liberal Democrats | Lib Dems | +5% | 30% | 25% | ▲ +13 vs Jul 24 |
Kemi Badenoch Leader of the Opposition · Conservative | Conservative | -15% | 30% | 45% | ▼ -7 since taking office |
Nigel Farage Leader · Reform UK | Reform UK | -20% | 35% | 55% | → Flat since Nov 25 |
Keir Starmer Prime Minister · Labour | Labour | -35% | 28% | 63% | ▼ -25 since Jul 24 |
Source: YouGov / Ipsos monthly tracker. Net approval = Approve % minus Disapprove %. May 2026 data.
Leader Profiles
Key context for each leader's ratingsCarla Denyer
Denyer benefits from both Green popularity among younger voters and relatively low name recognition limiting negative ratings. Her Bristol Central win at GE2024 gave her a parliamentary platform that has steadily raised her profile.
Ed Davey
Davey is the only major opposition leader to have improved his net score since the general election. The Lib Dems 72 seats give him credibility. His approachable, less combative style plays well among centrist voters turning away from Labour.
Kemi Badenoch
Badenoch holds the least negative net rating among the three main party leaders, though she faces a structural squeeze between Reform UK on her right and Lib Dems taking southern seats. Her direct communication style appeals to the Conservative base but limits cross-party reach.
Nigel Farage
Farage is the most polarising figure in UK politics. His 35% approval is actually among the highest of any opposition leader, but his 55% disapproval drags his net score to -20. His ratings are deeply segmented: strong support among older, Leave-voting voters; intense opposition among younger urban voters.
Keir Starmer
Starmer ratings have fallen almost every month since taking office. The winter fuel cut was a critical turning point. His net score of -35 is among the lowest for any sitting Prime Minister in the history of systematic UK polling.
What the Data Tells Us
The May 2026 leader approval data reveals a striking pattern: the two leaders with positive net approval — Denyer (+8) and Davey (+5) — both lead parties not currently in government. This is consistent with historical patterns where smaller opposition parties benefit from public disillusionment with the governing parties.
The Starmer problem
Starmer's -35 net rating is not simply a function of governing unpopularity. Previous Labour PMs at equivalent stages of their first term scored considerably better. Blair enjoyed net positive ratings for several years after 1997. The scale of Starmer's unpopularity reflects specific decisions — most notably the winter fuel cut — as well as broader disappointment about the pace of change after the Conservatives' long tenure.
The Reform paradox
Farage's -20 net score sits alongside Reform UK's 28% voting intention. This disconnect between leader approval and party VI is unusually large and reflects how many Reform voters hold their noses about Farage's divisive public persona while still preferring his party's positions on immigration and national identity.
See also: leader approval tracker — monthly tracker — voting intention
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most popular UK party leader in 2026?
As of May 2026, Carla Denyer of the Green Party holds the highest net approval rating at +8%, followed by Ed Davey of the Liberal Democrats at +5%. Kemi Badenoch is the least unpopular among the three main party leaders at -15%.
Why does Keir Starmer have such a low approval rating?
Starmer's -35% net approval reflects sustained public dissatisfaction with his government's handling of the cost of living, the NHS, and controversial decisions including cutting the winter fuel payment. It is among the lowest ratings for a sitting PM in modern UK polling history.
Why does Ed Davey have a positive net approval?
Davey benefits from being the leader of an opposition party not associated with recent policy failures. His less combative public style keeps disapproval low. The Lib Dems' strong performance at GE2024 gave him momentum that has kept his ratings climbing since July 2024.