Keir Starmer’s approval ratings have dropped sharply since his election win, according to a recent Opinium poll conducted for the Observer.

The Labour leader, now facing his first party conference as Prime Minister, has suffered a significant 45-point fall in his approval rating since July, placing him behind Tory leader Rishi Sunak.

Only 24% of voters approve of Starmer’s performance, while a striking 50% disapprove, leaving him with a net rating of -26%. Sunak, despite leading a beleaguered Conservative party, fares slightly better with a one-point advantage.

The fall in support doesn’t stop with the Prime Minister. Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, is also facing a harsh drop in public opinion. Her approval rating has tumbled by 36 points since July, largely attributed to controversial budget decisions such as cutting winter fuel payments for all but the most vulnerable pensioners and promising strict measures on welfare and taxes.

Public Doubts Rise Over Economic Approach

While Labour maintains a lead in several key areas, its dominance on economic matters has dwindled. The party’s once 10-point advantage over the Conservatives on the economy has been slashed to a single point.

Public sentiment indicates growing disillusionment with Labour’s perceived focus on managing fiscal policies rather than stimulating economic growth. According to the poll, 45% of the public now have a more negative view of Starmer’s government since it took office.

A third of voters believe the Labour government has been transparent about the difficulties facing the nation, but over half think it has failed to provide a sense of optimism or restore faith in politics. The honeymoon period for the new government appears to be well and truly over, with approval ratings dropping across the entire cabinet.

In a particularly worrying result for Starmer’s administration, only 27% of the public believe the government’s first few months have been a success. A majority of 57% disagree, with even a notable portion of Labour supporters (32%) expressing disappointment in the government’s early performance.

Critics argue the government is focusing too much on tightening the fiscal belt at a time when the public is more concerned about economic growth and living standards.

James Crouch, head of policy and public affairs at Opinium, remarked on the stark shift in public opinion.

“While the prime minister might have a world-beating new wardrobe, voters are refusing to wear his government’s austerity drive. Not only do the public feel worse off than they did before the election, but concerns that Labour has focused too much on government finances rather than growth have almost wiped out their lead on the economy. Much of the blame for this tone is being directed at Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, who now have approval ratings on a par with Rishi Sunak.”
James Crouch

The drop in public support indicates the challenges facing Labour’s leadership as they try to navigate the difficult post-election landscape, with a need to shift the narrative and refocus on economic growth to win back the public’s confidence.