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% | 22% | 14% | → Flat since Jan 26 |
Ed Davey Leader · Liberal Democrats | Lib Dems | -6% | 32% | 38% | → +2 vs Jul 24 |
Kemi Badenoch Leader of the Opposition · Conservative | Conservative | -15% | 32% | 47% | ▼ -7 since taking office |
Nigel Farage Leader · Reform UK | Reform UK | -15% | 35% | 50% | → Flat since Nov 25 |
Keir Starmer Prime Minister · Labour | Labour | -44% | 23% | 67% | ▼ -34 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 — only 22% approve but crucially only 14% disapprove. Her Bristol Central win at GE2024 gave her a parliamentary platform that has raised her profile without generating the negative coverage that comes with government.
Ed Davey
Davey remains among the least negatively viewed of the major leaders. His approachable style keeps disapproval relatively low. The Lib Dems' 72-seat haul at GE2024 gives him credibility as an effective opposition leader without the toxicity of being in government.
Kemi Badenoch
Badenoch sits in the middle of the pack despite leading the official Opposition. She faces a structural squeeze: Reform UK on her right keeps draining voters while Lib Dems dominate 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 50% disapproving drags his net score to -15. Ratings are deeply segmented: +78% among Reform voters vs deeply negative among Labour and Green voters.
Keir Starmer
Starmer's ratings have fallen almost every month since taking office. The winter fuel cut was a critical turning point. At -44%, he is the worst-rated sitting Prime Minister recorded in the history of systematic UK polling.
What the Data Tells Us
The May 2026 leader approval data reveals a striking pattern: the only leader with positive net approval is Denyer (+8), who leads a party not currently in government. All other leaders are net negative, with Davey (−6) the least disliked of the remaining four. This is consistent with historical patterns where smaller opposition parties benefit from public disillusionment with the governing parties.
The Starmer problem
Starmer's -44 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 -15 net score nationally sits alongside Reform UK's 28% voting intention. This disconnect between leader approval and party VI reflects how many Reform voters are passionate supporters (+78% among Reform voters) while a majority of the overall electorate holds a negative view. Among Conservative voters, his approval is around -8%, suggesting significant sympathy even among those who haven't yet switched.
See also: leader approval tracker — monthly tracker — voting intention
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most popular UK party leader in 2026?
As of June 2026, Carla Denyer of the Green Party holds the highest net approval rating at +8% — the only leader with a positive net score. Ed Davey is next at −6%. Badenoch and Farage share −15%, while Starmer is the clear outlier at −44%.
Why does Keir Starmer have such a low approval rating?
Starmer's -44% 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.
Video: Further Analysis
Video: Comparing leadership approval ratings across all major UK party leaders since the 2024 General Election.