UK Party Favourability Ratings

Labour's brand has taken a serious hit since entering government. The party is viewed unfavourably by a majority of the population. Core problems include perceived incompetence on the NHS, the winter fuel cut controversy, and a disconnect between the leadership's communication style and working-class voters who backed them in 2024.

Reform UK's favourability closely mirrors Nigel Farage's personal ratings: a highly enthusiastic supporter base offset by deep hostility from the majority. The party scores its best numbers on immigration competence but its worst on the NHS and public services, limiting its overall favourability ceiling.

The Conservatives carry significant negative baggage from 14 years in government: multiple PM changes, cost-of-living crisis, and the Truss budget catastrophe. Kemi Badenoch is attempting a brand reset but the party's net favourability remains deeply negative. The "don't know" rate is high, suggesting fading relevance.

The Lib Dems have the least negative net favourability of the major parties. Their high "don't know" rate (32%) reflects lower national media profile rather than hostility. Among voters who have a view, the party scores relatively well, benefiting from being seen as non-threatening and centrist.

The Greens have improved their favourability significantly since 2019. Growing concern about climate change and housing has boosted their profile, and the party's four MPs provide a national platform. However, their favourability dips sharply among voters over 55 and in rural areas.

SNP favourability in GB-wide polling is constrained by the large number of non-Scottish respondents who have no strong view. Within Scotland, the party's ratings are more nuanced. Nationally, the SNP's "don't know" rate of 38% is the highest of any major party, reflecting its primarily Scottish relevance.

Which UK party has the best favourability rating?

As of June 2026, the Liberal Democrats have the least negative net favourability rating at −8, largely because they are seen as non-threatening by voters across the political spectrum. Labour and the Conservatives both have strongly negative net ratings, while Reform UK is the most polarising party despite its strong voting intention numbers.

What is party favourability?

Party favourability measures what proportion of all voters view a party favourably versus unfavourably, regardless of which party they intend to vote for. It differs from voting intention, which only asks which party someone would vote for. A party can have high favourability but low voting intention if people like it but do not think it can win.

Why is Reform UK so polarising?

Reform UK has a high and passionate approval rate among its core voters but extremely high disapproval among voters outside that base, particularly younger, urban, and university-educated voters. This gives them a highly polarised favourability score despite their strong showing in voting intention polls.