Prime Minister Andy Burnham is experiencing a notable increase in public support and personal ratings following his ascent to power. Recent polls suggest a positive shift for the Labour party and a significant boost in Burnham's favorability since he took office.
A More in Common poll indicates that Labour's support has risen to 24 percent, a two-point increase since Keir Starmer's departure as leader. This places Labour in a virtual tie with Reform, which polled at 26 percent, and the Conservatives at 22 percent, with all three parties within the margin of error.
Burnham's personal favorability rating has also seen a substantial improvement, entering positive territory with a net score of three, according to a separate YouGov survey. This marks a significant jump from minus nine at the beginning of the previous week. His current rating surpasses that of Sir Keir Starmer upon becoming Prime Minister in 2024 and is the highest personal rating for a Prime Minister since Theresa May in 2016.
Burnham assumed office on Monday, having secured victory in the Makerfield by-election and orchestrating a leadership challenge against Sir Keir. His early days as Prime Minister have been marked by the announcement of several cost-of-living initiatives. These include a reduction in VAT on electricity bills and a cap on single bus fares set at £2, down from £3.
Despite these measures, the government has faced scrutiny regarding the funding sources for these initiatives, particularly in light of existing pressures on public finances.
These latest figures follow a Deltapoll survey from last month, which indicated an eight-point rise in Labour's support following Sir Keir's resignation announcement. That poll showed Labour and Reform each at 28 percent, with the Conservatives at 18 percent and the Green Party and Liberal Democrats tied at 10 percent. Reform's support level remained unchanged, despite ongoing questions about party leader Nigel Farage's financial matters. It marked the first time since April 2025 that Labour had not trailed behind Reform in the polls.
Additionally, a Survation poll conducted last week showed Labour and Reform neck-and-neck, both at 24 percent, with the Conservatives closely following at 21 percent.