Andy Burnham Begins Premiership With Positive Ratings as Farage Falls to Record Low, YouGov Finds

Andy Burnham has entered Downing Street with the strongest initial public favourability ratings of any new Prime Minister since Theresa May, according to new YouGov polling, although the survey also highlights growing momentum for Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and a record low for Nigel Farage.

The research shows Britons are currently divided on the new Prime Minister, with 38% holding a favourable view of Burnham compared with 35% who view him unfavourably, leaving him with a net favourability rating of +3. A further 26% of the public say they have yet to form an opinion.

While relatively modest, the figures represent the highest personal favourability rating Burnham has recorded to date and mark a 12-point improvement compared with YouGov's previous survey conducted before he entered No. 10.

The result also places Burnham ahead of several recent predecessors at the beginning of their premierships. His opening net rating exceeds Keir Starmer's initial score of -3 following the 2024 general election, while Boris Johnson (-18), Rishi Sunak (-19) and Liz Truss (-31) all began their premierships with significantly weaker public ratings.

Only Theresa May, who recorded a +12 net favourability score shortly after becoming Prime Minister in 2016, entered office with stronger initial personal ratings over the past decade.

The poll also suggests the political landscape may be becoming more competitive.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has recorded her strongest personal ratings since becoming party leader, with 33% of Britons now viewing her favourably compared with 44% unfavourably, giving her a net rating of -11. According to YouGov, this is the strongest rating achieved by any Conservative leader in more than five years.

Her improvement is particularly notable over the past year. Positive views of Badenoch have risen from 19% to 33%, while negative perceptions have fallen from 54% to 44%, indicating a gradual recovery in her public standing.

The survey paints a markedly different picture for Nigel Farage, whose favourability has deteriorated sharply following recent political controversy.

Just 22% of Britons now hold a favourable opinion of the Reform UK leader, while 68% view him unfavourably, including 56% who say they view him very unfavourably. That leaves Farage with a net favourability rating of -46, matching the lowest figure recorded by YouGov's tracker during the past ten years.

The polling follows Farage's decision to resign as MP for Clacton in order to contest a by-election after investigations into his financial interests and relationships with wealthy individuals.

Elsewhere, Green Party leader Zack Polanski records a net favourability rating of -26, with 20% viewing him positively and 46% negatively, while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey remains relatively stable on -8, with 26% favourable and 34% unfavourable.

The first poll of Burnham's administration also offers an early snapshot of public attitudes towards his reshaped Cabinet.

New Chancellor John Healey begins his tenure with one of the few positive ratings among senior ministers, registering 22% favourable against 17% unfavourable, giving him a net score of +5, although almost two-thirds of the public say they do not yet know enough about him to form an opinion.

Meanwhile, Angela Rayner and Ed Miliband, both promoted to senior Cabinet positions, each receive favourable ratings of 23% but remain viewed negatively by around half of the public.

The survey suggests that while Andy Burnham has secured a relatively positive start compared with many recent Prime Ministers, Britain's political leaders continue to face challenging public perceptions, with few currently enjoying clear positive ratings across the electorate.