A poll commissioned by The Telegraph reveals that former U.S. President Donald Trump is more popular among British voters than UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The survey, conducted by Freshwater Strategy, shows that Trump has a net favorability rating of -24 points in the UK, compared to Starmer’s considerably worse -30.
The polling also places Tesla CEO Elon Musk ahead of Starmer, with a net favourability rating of -17. While neither Trump nor Musk are exactly beloved figures in the UK, the results highlight a dramatic shift in British public opinion, raising serious questions about Starmer’s leadership and his declining popularity.
Sir Keir Starmer, who led the Labour Party to what was supposed to be a momentous political comeback after the disastrous Jeremy Corbyn years, is now facing a steep drop in public approval, making him one of the least popular leaders in modern British politics.
Matthew Lesh, director at Freshwater Strategy, commented on the findings, saying, “Keir Starmer has gone from a record-breaking landslide election victory to widespread unpopularity in a shockingly short period.” He added, “None of these figures—Trump, Musk, or Starmer—are particularly popular, but falling that far, that quickly, raises serious questions about Starmer’s leadership and ability to regain public confidence.”
Jeremy Clarkson, the former Top Gear host and outspoken critic of government policies, emerged as one of the more popular figures in the poll. With a positive rating of 15 points, Clarkson ranks second in popularity, just behind King Charles III.
Clarkson’s rise in prominence has come on the back of his vocal opposition to government agricultural policies, particularly proposals to impose inheritance tax changes on farmers. Appearing at a major protest in Westminster, Clarkson delivered a passionate speech urging the government to reverse its stance on inheritance tax relief. His populist, no-nonsense approach has made him a voice of opposition, despite his reluctance to formally enter the political world.
The poll also revealed a growing trust among British voters in the Conservative Party when it comes to economic management. Almost a third of respondents said they trusted the Tories more on the issue of strengthening the national economy, compared to 24% who backed Labour. The poll underscores a key weakness in Starmer’s leadership: despite Labour’s traditional support among working-class and union voters, the party is struggling to convince the electorate that it can handle economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.
One area where Starmer has come under particular scrutiny is his stance on immigration. Recently, Starmer was forced to admit that mass migration policies implemented under the Labour government in the 2000s had been a mistake.
