Starmer’s aides will not be able to fix his problems. He has to do that himself | Tom Baldwin
GuardianFEB 12
UK: Starmer Trails Most Former Prime Ministers in YouGov Poll
Above: Labour Party leader Keir Starmer and then-Prime Minister Liz Truss inside the Palace of Westminster, central London on Sept. 12, 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Image copyright: MARKUS SCHREIBER/POOL/AP POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
A recent YouGov poll surveying over 2.2K UK adults between Feb. 16-17 revealed that current Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer ranks below all former prime ministers except Liz Truss since 1979 in public perception.
Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair (1997-2007) leads Starmer by a margin of 45% to 10%, while his successor Gordon Brown (2007-2010) maintains an advantage over Starmer at 42% to 12%. Both Blair and Brown are the only former prime ministers that voters from all major parties believe were better.
Margaret Thatcher (1979-90) emerges as the Tory prime minister with the largest favorable margin over Starmer, with 44% of respondents preferring her leadership compared to 25% for Starmer. Thatcher is followed by her successor John Major (1990-97), who 39% see to be a better prime minister compared to Starmer's 16%.
The Spin
Left narrative
Starmer’s steady, pragmatic approach, is admirable but not without flaws. His focus on long-term solutions and rebuilding trust is crucial, but at times he can seem overly cautious and slow to inspire the bold vision many voters crave. Starmer must work on communicating hope and ambition. However, his commitment to difficult decisions and sustainable change remains a solid foundation for future progress.
Right narrative
Starmer’s premiership has been disappointing, with his approval ratings now at a historic low. Despite his 2024 landslide win, early missteps and a weak budget have eroded public confidence. His cautious leadership style frustrates voters who want more decisive action. While he may not officially be the worst prime minister, his lack of bold vision raises doubts about Labour’s ability to deliver meaningful change.