𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Polling experts have questioned how long Andy Burnham’s popularity will last after stepping into his new role. The new PM’s favourability has soared in comparison to Sir Keir Starmer’s during his first few days in office, shooting up to 19%, following a dip during the Makerfield by-election. In comparison, Sir Keir Starmer’s dipped to -41%.

Polling expert Sir John Curtice told The Independent that Labour had “definitely been given a second chance” after the spike in popularity, which happened quicker than most expected. He attributed it in part to Andy Burnham’s policies and communication, and in part because Sir Keir was gone. Sir John said: “The question for Andy Burnham is how long this will last and only time will tell on that.”

While Sir Keir was in power, Labour was losing a steady stream of its core voters to Reform UK. A YouGov poll for Sky last August showed just 20% would vote Labour, while Reform UK had 28% of the vote. The Conservatives were at 17%.

Now, polling shows Reform UK and Labour are tied at 22% each. Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives sit at 21%.

His policies follow weeks of challenges for Reform, after its leader Nigel Farage was accused of undeclared gifts and donations.

Farage said it was “purely private” and “wasn’t political in any sense at all”. He said: “And believe you me, we’ve looked at this from every legal angle, there is no obligation to declare something that is an unconditional, non-political, personal gift. And it will ensure I can be safe for the rest of my life.”

The inquiry was later widened to see if he should have declared support from his friend and fraudster George Cottrell, who let him stay at his home in London and paid for some social media filming in 2024. Farage said it was “totally undeclarable in every single way”.