Andy Burnham has recorded the best favourability rating for a British prime minister in more than six years, according to new polling from YouGov.
Almost half of Britons, 46%, now have a favourable opinion of Burnham, while 33% view him unfavourably.
That leaves the Prime Minister with a net favourability score of +13.
YouGov says no prime minister has managed a better score on its political favourability tracker since May 2020, when Boris Johnson was still enjoying a surge in public support during the early stages of the Covid pandemic.
In fact, YouGov says that brief period under Johnson is the only time in the ten years it has been running the tracker that a serving prime minister has recorded a higher score than Burnham has now.
It is an unusually comfortable place for a British prime minister to find themselves.
Whether Burnham can stay there is another matter.
Burnham gets an early boost in Number 10
The change since last month is substantial.
YouGov’s first favourability poll of Burnham’s premiership, published in July, found 38% of people had a favourable opinion of him and 35% an unfavourable one.
His net score was therefore just +3.
A month later, his favourable rating has climbed eight points to 46%, while his unfavourable score has fallen slightly to 33%.
Burnham has spent his opening weeks in Downing Street moving quickly on issues including buses, devolution and the cost of living, while making a point of getting out of Westminster.
His government has extended the £2 bus fare cap through 2027, announced plans to remove time restrictions from disabled bus passes and backed the West Midlands taking public control of its bus network.
This week he also revealed that his new “No 10 North” operation in Manchester will take responsibility for economic growth away from the Treasury and lead work on tax devolution.
The strategy is giving voters plenty to judge him on.
So far, they appear to like what they’re seeing.
Farage’s numbers tell a very different story
The contrast with Nigel Farage is particularly striking.
Just 23% of Britons have a favourable opinion of the Reform UK leader, according to YouGov, compared with 67% who view him unfavourably.
That gives Farage a net rating of -44.
Farage remains a hugely influential figure with a committed political base, something demonstrated again by his comfortable victory in the recent Clacton by-election.
But the numbers show the difficulty he faces beyond that base.
A politician can command enormous attention, dominate political debate and still struggle to persuade the wider electorate that they actually like him.
Burnham currently has the opposite advantage.
His favourable rating is twice Farage’s, while far fewer voters have a negative opinion of him.
That matters if the political contest between Labour and Reform increasingly becomes framed around Burnham and Farage personally.
Badenoch improves too
There is some better news for Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
Her net favourability rating now stands at -16, with 31% of Britons viewing her favourably and 47% unfavourably.
That’s still underwater, but her personal ratings have improved considerably compared with some of the numbers she was recording earlier in her leadership.
Badenoch also remains significantly less unpopular than Farage.
For the Conservatives, who have spent much of the past year squeezed between Labour and Reform, that could prove useful if they can convince voters on the right to take another look at the party.
Green leader Zack Polanski has gone in the other direction.
Only 19% now view Polanski favourably, seven points lower than his peak in April.
Ed Davey remains relatively stable, with 26% holding a favourable opinion of the Liberal Democrat leader.
Burnham is comfortably ahead of all of them.
There is a catch for Burnham
Prime ministers tend to discover that popularity has a short shelf life.
Burnham has only been in Downing Street since July, meaning these numbers are being recorded before his government has had much time to accumulate the rows, broken promises and unpopular decisions that eventually weigh down almost every administration.
Boris Johnson’s 2020 rating provides a useful warning.
His popularity surged during the extraordinary opening stages of the pandemic before falling sharply as his government became engulfed in rows over its handling of Covid and, eventually, Partygate.
Burnham also inherited a Labour government rather than winning a general election as its leader.
He will eventually be judged on whether the early announcements coming from Downing Street make a noticeable difference to people’s lives.
There are already difficult decisions waiting for him.
The economy remains fragile, the government faces pressure over prisons and migration, and Burnham’s promises on public services and devolution will have to survive contact with the public finances.
But Labour would have struggled to imagine numbers like these only a few months ago.
Before Burnham entered Number 10, the party had been fighting Reform for the lead in national polling and Keir Starmer’s personal ratings had fallen deep into negative territory.
Burnham now finds himself in the unusual position of being a prime minister whom substantially more people like than dislike.
For the moment at least, the Burnham bounce is real.
The difficult part starts now: keeping it.
Andy Burnham Records Highest Popularity Rating for a Prime Minister in Six Years
Andy Burnham has reached a significant milestone in British political opinion, recording the highest favourability rating for a sitting prime minister in more than six years, according to YouGov polling published in August 2026. The figures suggest that the Labour leader has benefited from an early boost in public opinion, putting renewed attention on his leadership, his policy priorities and the challenges facing his government.
The poll found that 46 per cent of Britons held a favourable opinion of Burnham, compared with 33 per cent who viewed him unfavourably. This gave him a net favourability rating of plus 13, a result YouGov described as the strongest recorded for a prime minister on its tracker since Boris Johnson’s early-pandemic popularity in May 2020. The figures measure personal favourability, however, rather than proving that voters support every policy associated with Burnham or his government.
A Significant Moment for Labour
For Labour, the figures offer an encouraging indication that Burnham’s public image is resonating with a substantial section of the electorate. After a period of political uncertainty and dissatisfaction with the previous leadership, the new prime minister has an opportunity to establish a different tone and persuade voters that the government understands their everyday concerns.
Personal popularity can be particularly important during the early months of a premiership. Voters often assess a new leader not only through detailed policy proposals but also through communication, public appearances and the impression that the person in charge understands the pressures facing ordinary households.
Burnham’s background as mayor of Greater Manchester has helped shape his political identity. His experience of regional government has allowed him to emphasise local services, transport, economic development and the relationship between Westminster and communities outside London. Supporters of greater devolution see this background as relevant to his wider ambitions for Britain.
Yet a favourable rating is only an initial measure of public confidence. The more difficult task is turning positive impressions into sustained support by delivering policies that produce tangible results.
The Cost of Living Remains a Central Challenge
Economic pressures remain one of the most important issues facing households across the United Kingdom. Housing costs, energy bills, food prices and the availability of secure employment influence how people judge the government, often more directly than speeches or political disputes.
Burnham’s administration has placed emphasis on measures intended to ease household pressures, including proposals relating to energy costs and transport. The government will need to demonstrate how such initiatives are funded, who benefits from them and whether they produce lasting improvements rather than temporary relief.
For families managing tight budgets, even relatively modest savings can make a difference. However, public expectations can rise quickly when a new prime minister begins with strong approval figures. Voters who welcome early announcements may become disappointed if implementation is delayed or if the benefits do not reach them.
The economic situation also limits the government’s room for manoeuvre. Public services require investment, while borrowing costs and the demands of existing spending commitments constrain the amount of money available for new programmes. Decisions about taxation, welfare and public investment will therefore remain politically sensitive.
Burnham’s popularity may give him an opportunity to explain difficult choices, but it cannot eliminate the consequences of those choices.
Why Personal Approval Matters
Popularity ratings provide a snapshot of how people view a political figure at a particular moment. They are not the same as voting-intention polls, which measure party support, and they do not guarantee that a leader will retain public confidence.
A prime minister can enjoy a favourable personal image while facing criticism over specific policies. Conversely, a party can maintain support even when its leader receives negative personal ratings. Understanding this distinction is essential when interpreting political polling.
Burnham’s net rating of plus 13 indicates that favourable opinions exceeded unfavourable opinions in the YouGov survey. The 46 per cent favourable figure also suggests that nearly half of respondents viewed him positively. Nevertheless, the 33 per cent unfavourable figure demonstrates that a considerable share of the public remained critical.
The remaining respondents may have expressed neutral views, uncertainty or no clear opinion. Their attitudes could change as the government introduces new measures and faces difficult political decisions.
Polling results are also influenced by timing, question wording and the broader news environment. A strong result should therefore be considered alongside subsequent surveys, rather than treated as a definitive verdict on a leader’s long-term standing.
The Opposition Faces a Different Political Environment
Burnham’s favourable figures also matter because they change the context in which opposition parties must challenge the government. The Conservatives, Reform UK, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens each compete for voters who are dissatisfied with different aspects of Labour’s programme.
For Nigel Farage and Reform UK, immigration, border enforcement and concerns about the direction of the country remain important themes. The party has sought to present itself as an alternative for voters who believe established political parties have failed to address their priorities.
The Conservatives, meanwhile, face the task of demonstrating how their economic and public-service proposals differ from those of the government. They must also explain how they would respond to public concerns about taxation, migration and the future of the welfare state.
Labour’s early polling position does not remove these challenges for the opposition, nor does it establish that the political contest has been settled. Public attitudes can shift considerably when economic conditions change, controversial decisions emerge or campaign promises come under scrutiny.
The most meaningful test will be whether the parties can persuade voters that their proposals are realistic and that they understand the problems affecting communities across the country.
Difficult Decisions on Europe and Immigration
Burnham’s wider political agenda is likely to generate debate beyond the economy. His position on Britain’s relationship with Europe, for example, raises questions about trade, regulation, migration and national sovereignty.
Closer cooperation with the European Union could offer opportunities in areas such as trade arrangements and mobility, but it would also require negotiations over the precise terms of any agreement. Different political groups have sharply contrasting views about the costs and benefits of closer integration.
Immigration presents another major challenge. Many voters want effective border enforcement and faster decisions on asylum claims, while others place particular emphasis on protecting refugees and ensuring that Britain meets its legal obligations.
A government seeking to maintain public confidence must explain how it intends to balance these objectives. Clear rules, timely decisions, cooperation with international partners and transparent reporting on outcomes could all contribute to a more credible system.
The political risk for Burnham is that a positive personal image may create expectations that are difficult to satisfy across such complicated issues. His approach will be judged not only by supporters but also by voters who remain sceptical of Labour’s promises.
Public Services Will Test the Government
The National Health Service, social care, education and local government are also likely to influence public opinion. Many people want shorter waiting times, better access to appointments and more reliable services in their communities.
Improving these services requires more than announcing additional spending. Recruitment, workforce retention, administrative efficiency and the capacity of local facilities all affect whether investment translates into better outcomes.
Social care is particularly important because difficulties in arranging support for older people can place pressure on families and delay hospital discharges. Long-term reform may require cooperation between central government, councils, healthcare providers and private organisations.
Education presents similar questions about funding, staffing and opportunities for young people. Decisions in these areas can have consequences that extend well beyond a single parliamentary term.
If Burnham’s government can demonstrate measurable improvements, its early popularity may become more durable. If progress remains slow, voters may begin to question whether the change in leadership has made a meaningful difference.
A Strong Start Is Not the Same as a Guaranteed Future
The YouGov figures offer Burnham a positive starting point, but British political history provides many reminders that early popularity can fade. Public opinion is sensitive to economic developments, international crises, policy controversies and the gap between promises and results.
The comparison with Boris Johnson in May 2020 is especially instructive because it illustrates how quickly political circumstances can change. A leader’s standing at one moment cannot reliably predict how the public will respond to events months or years later.
Burnham must therefore convert favourable impressions into practical achievements. That means explaining the government’s priorities, acknowledging the limits of public finances and showing how policies are expected to improve living standards.
It also means accepting scrutiny. A government that welcomes questions about spending, delivery and accountability is better placed to demonstrate whether its programme is working.
For Labour, the central question is whether Burnham can sustain public confidence while confronting the difficult choices that accompany national leadership. For opposition parties, the challenge is to offer credible alternatives rather than relying exclusively on criticism of the government.
What the Poll Means for Britain’s Political Future
Andy Burnham’s reported popularity rating marks an important moment in the current political landscape. With 46 per cent of respondents viewing him favourably and a net rating of plus 13, he began this period with a level of personal approval not recorded for a prime minister on YouGov’s tracker since May 2020.
The result provides useful evidence of public sentiment, but it should not be mistaken for a guarantee of lasting support or a direct measure of voting intentions. A leader’s standing ultimately depends on how people experience the consequences of government decisions.
The coming months will bring tests on household finances, public services, immigration, economic growth and Britain’s international relationships. Each will provide an opportunity for Burnham to demonstrate what his leadership means in practice.
His early figures suggest that many Britons are willing to view him favourably. Whether that goodwill lasts will depend on what follows: the policies introduced, the results achieved and the government’s ability to explain its decisions honestly.
For now, the polling offers Labour an encouraging headline. The more important story will be whether the government can turn that initial advantage in public perception into sustained confidence in its performance.