More than half of voters have an unfavourable view of Nigel Farage while Andy Burnham is the most popular national party leader, new polling has revealed.
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The Persuasion UK survey found 43% of all respondents, and 72% of 2024 Labour voters, have a positive view of the new PM, while 28% of all voters have a negative view of him.
The Reform UK leader was far less popular, with 51% having a negative view and just 28% having a positive opinion of him.
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Voters were more split on Kemi Badenoch, with 31% having a positive view and the same number a negative one.
Things were also bleak for the Green Party leader Zack Polanski, with 41% having a negative view and 17% having a positive one.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey also failed to inspire the public, with 21% favourable and 29% negative.
The polling of 6,091 respondents, conducted by Convergent for the non-profit Persuasion UK, also showed the cost of living is the overwhelming priority for Brits, with 60% naming it as a top issue.
Some 67% of all voters think big business takes advantage and 66% think workers lack a fair share. Around 77% of 2024 Labour voters think workers lack a fair share.
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When asked what was causing higher prices, 37% of respondents named the US-Iran war. The second most popular answer was the conflict in Ukraine, at 32%.
When asked which person or group they think is to blame for rising costs, the most popular answer was Donald Trump. 35% of all voters and 44% of Labour 2024 voters blamed the US president for rising prices.
Morgan Jones, Deputy Director of Persuasion UK, said: “Andy Burnham is notably popular in this polling, which fits with other surveys showing an improvement in Labour’s ratings since he became Prime Minister.
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“Our analysis suggests this so-called ‘Burnham bounce’ is largely down to alienated progressive voters returning to Labour.
“The cost of living continues to be a top priority for voters, who show an interest in fairly bold solutions – such as public ownership – to tackle a crisis they see as the doing of Trump, Putin, and CEOs”.
Separate polling from YouGov earlier this month showed Mr Farage’s latest unpopularity level is the highest recorded for him in 10 years.
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It shows 69% of voters have an unfavourable opinion of him – including 57% who say they see him in a very unfavourable way. Just 24% hold a positive opinion of him, the polling shows.
Blow for Nigel Farage as Poll Finds More Than Half of Voters Dislike Reform UK Leader
Nigel Farage has suffered a setback in the latest assessments of public opinion, with polling suggesting that more than half of British voters hold an unfavourable view of the Reform UK leader. The findings raise questions about the relationship between his personal popularity, his party’s political ambitions and the challenge of persuading a wider cross-section of the electorate to support his programme.
A survey published by Convergent for Persuasion UK found that 51 per cent of respondents viewed Farage negatively, compared with 28 per cent who expressed a positive opinion. The poll questioned 6,091 people, providing a substantial snapshot of attitudes towards one of the most recognisable figures in British politics.
Other surveys have recorded even higher levels of dissatisfaction. YouGov reported in September 2026 that 69 per cent of Britons held an unfavourable opinion of Farage, while 24 per cent viewed him favourably. That was the highest unfavourable rating recorded by its long-running tracker at the time.
The results highlight a difficulty for a politician whose influence has often depended on presenting himself as an outsider capable of challenging the established political parties. Farage continues to attract committed supporters, but his reputation remains sharply divided across the electorate.
A difficult picture for Farage’s personal popularity
Farage has built his political career by presenting himself as a figure willing to confront conventional political thinking. His outspoken approach, particularly on immigration, Brexit and national sovereignty, has helped him establish a distinctive identity in British public life.
For supporters, those characteristics demonstrate conviction and a willingness to discuss subjects they believe other politicians avoid. They see him as someone prepared to challenge established institutions and question decisions made by successive governments.
For critics, the same approach can appear divisive. His rhetoric on immigration and national identity has attracted criticism, while his political style has prompted questions about whether he can unite voters beyond his existing support base.
The latest polling suggests that negative perceptions remain widespread. However, an unfavourable opinion does not necessarily mean that every respondent rejects Farage’s policies, nor does it automatically indicate how someone would vote in a general election.
Voters can dislike a politician personally while agreeing with some of their proposals. Others may view a leader favourably but still prefer a different party when deciding how to vote.
This distinction is particularly important for Reform UK. The party’s electoral prospects depend not only on Farage’s personal image but also on its candidates, policies, organisation and ability to persuade people that it can govern effectively.
Nevertheless, personal popularity matters. A leader who attracts strong negative reactions may find it harder to persuade undecided voters, particularly when opponents focus their campaigns on questions of trust, temperament and experience.
YouGov records a record level of disapproval
The September findings from YouGov offered a particularly striking assessment of Farage’s public standing.
According to the survey, 69 per cent of Britons held an unfavourable opinion of him, compared with 24 per cent who had a favourable view. Fifty-seven per cent said their opinion was very unfavourable.
The figures represented a deterioration from the previous year, when Farage’s ratings had been considerably less negative. They also suggested that the political momentum surrounding Reform UK had not translated into a comparable improvement in the leader’s personal reputation.
YouGov found that only 19 per cent of Britons considered Farage a prime minister in waiting, while 66 per cent did not believe he looked suited to the role. The survey also recorded a decline in the proportion who believed he was doing well as Reform UK leader.
These findings do not establish that Farage could never become prime minister. They show how respondents viewed him at a particular point in time, and those attitudes could change as political circumstances develop.
However, the results underline the challenge facing any party seeking to expand beyond its established supporters. Winning votes from people who already agree with a leader is different from persuading those who remain uncertain or actively dislike that leader.
For Farage, the task is to demonstrate that Reform UK offers more than a vehicle for protest. He must persuade voters that the party has credible plans for the economy, public services, immigration and the wider responsibilities of government.
Reform UK faces a broader political test
The polling comes amid a changing political landscape in which Reform UK, Labour and the Conservatives are competing for voters dissatisfied with the direction of the country.
Reform has sought to capitalise on concerns about immigration, the cost of living, public spending and confidence in established institutions. Its message has resonated with voters who believe the main parties have failed to deliver meaningful change.
Yet the party faces a challenge common to political movements that grow rapidly through public dissatisfaction: maintaining momentum while demonstrating that its proposals can be implemented in practice.
Campaigning against existing policies can be relatively straightforward. Governing requires decisions about funding, staffing, legal obligations and the competing priorities of different groups.
Farage will therefore need to show that Reform can turn its political message into detailed and workable proposals. The party’s ability to recruit experienced candidates, manage local organisations and maintain internal discipline may become increasingly important as its ambitions grow.
The personal ratings also create a communications challenge. If a substantial proportion of the public already views Farage unfavourably, simply repeating familiar campaign messages may do little to change their minds.
A strategy aimed at reaching undecided voters would require the party to explain its policies clearly, address concerns about their consequences and demonstrate how its approach would affect people’s everyday lives.
Whether Farage chooses to adjust his presentation or continue relying on his established political style remains a strategic question for Reform UK.
Andy Burnham’s contrasting position
The polling has also drawn attention to the different public perceptions of Andy Burnham, whose leadership has attracted more favourable ratings in recent surveys.
A Convergent poll reported that 43 per cent of respondents viewed Burnham positively, while 28 per cent viewed him negatively. The same survey found that 51 per cent had an unfavourable opinion of Farage, compared with 28 per cent who viewed him positively.
Those figures suggest that the two leaders have different public profiles. Burnham’s supporters may associate him with public services, local government experience and an emphasis on practical policy, while Farage’s political identity remains closely linked to immigration, Brexit and his opposition to the established parties.
However, favourable personal ratings do not guarantee electoral success. Burnham’s government will still face scrutiny over taxation, economic growth, healthcare, social care and immigration. If voters become dissatisfied with its performance, his popularity could also decline.
Similarly, Farage’s unfavourable ratings do not mean that Reform UK has no electoral support. People may vote for the party because they prioritise its policies, want to challenge Labour and the Conservatives, or believe that the existing political system needs a fundamental change.
The comparison nevertheless highlights the importance of leadership image. Voters assess political figures through a combination of policy preferences, personal impressions, past decisions and expectations about how they might perform in government.
For both leaders, the challenge is to convert public perceptions into lasting confidence.
The problem of winning over undecided voters
One of the most significant implications of the polling is the difficulty Reform UK may face in attracting people who have not yet decided which party to support.
Farage has a recognisable political brand. This gives him a considerable advantage in terms of visibility, but it also means that many voters have already formed opinions about him.
Some may be strongly committed to his movement. Others may be equally determined not to support it.
The remaining group is particularly important because undecided voters can influence the outcome of closely contested elections. Their decisions may depend on economic conditions, campaign promises, candidate quality and the credibility of competing leaders.
For Reform UK, the question is whether Farage can broaden his appeal without alienating supporters who value his confrontational style.
Moderating his rhetoric could potentially make him more acceptable to some voters, but it might also create doubts among those who support him precisely because he challenges political conventions.
Maintaining his current approach could preserve his established base while making it harder to persuade people who regard him as too divisive.
There is no simple answer to that dilemma. Political leaders frequently have to balance the demands of loyal supporters against the need to attract new voters.
The polling provides evidence of the scale of Farage’s challenge, but it does not reveal which strategy would be most effective.
Trust and credibility remain central issues
Public trust is another important factor in assessing a political leader’s prospects.
Voters may judge a politician not only by whether they agree with particular policies but also by whether they believe that person is honest, consistent and capable of delivering promises.
For Farage, questions about transparency and political donations have added to the scrutiny surrounding his leadership and Reform UK’s finances.
Such controversies can become significant because a party presenting itself as an alternative to established politics must explain how it differs from the institutions and practices it criticises.
Supporters may argue that allegations and political attacks are being used to undermine a leader who challenges the status quo. Critics may respond that greater scrutiny is justified when a politician seeks substantial public responsibility.
The appropriate assessment depends on evidence, not assumptions about a person’s motives. Allegations should not be treated as proof of wrongdoing, and any investigations or regulatory processes should be allowed to establish the relevant facts.
Nevertheless, controversies can influence public perception even before they produce definitive conclusions. Political leaders must therefore explain their decisions clearly and provide convincing answers to legitimate questions.
For Reform UK, credibility will depend on both its policy programme and its approach to transparency, accountability and internal standards.
What the polling means for the next election
The findings should be interpreted carefully. Opinion polls measure responses from particular samples at particular times. Results can vary according to the questions asked, the survey method and the characteristics of the people questioned.
A poll measuring whether voters like Farage is not the same as a poll asking which party they would support at a general election.
The distinction matters because political behaviour is complicated. A respondent may dislike Farage but still intend to vote Reform because of immigration policy or dissatisfaction with Labour. Another person may have a favourable opinion of him but prefer the Conservatives on economic grounds.
The figures also do not establish how people will respond to future events. Economic developments, policy announcements, debates and election campaigns can all affect public attitudes.
For that reason, the latest results should be viewed as a measure of the challenge facing Farage rather than a definitive verdict on Reform UK’s future.
The party’s support in voting-intention surveys must be examined separately from its leader’s personal ratings. Both are relevant, but they answer different questions.
Farage’s next challenge
The latest poll presents Nigel Farage with a clear public-relations challenge. More than half of respondents in the Convergent survey viewed him unfavourably, while the September YouGov figures showed an even larger proportion expressing negative opinions.
Those numbers suggest that Farage remains a polarising figure in British politics. His ability to attract strong support has helped Reform UK become an important presence in national political debate, but widespread dislike could complicate efforts to expand that support.
The party will need to convince voters that it can address the country’s problems with credible policies and a capable team, rather than relying exclusively on the public profile of its leader.
Farage, meanwhile, faces the task of explaining his approach to people who remain sceptical about his leadership while maintaining the confidence of those who already support him.
Ultimately, personal popularity and electoral support are connected but not identical. A leader can remain unpopular with much of the public while retaining a substantial political following. Equally, a party can attract attention without persuading voters that it is ready to govern.
The coming months will show whether Farage can improve his standing, whether Reform UK can broaden its appeal and how voters respond to the competing offers from Labour and the Conservatives.
For now, the polling offers a reminder that political prominence does not automatically translate into public affection. Farage remains a central figure in the national debate, but the scale of negative opinion recorded in recent surveys presents a challenge that his party cannot afford to ignore.