Andy Burnham‘s popularity has taken a five-point hit, new polling shows. The Prime Minister’s net approval rating now stands at 11 points following the dip, according to the latest survey by Survation.
It comes as Labour has been enjoying a poll bounce following Sir Keir Starmer‘s exit and Mr Burnham’s coronation. But the party remains at 27% in this week’s Opinium poll.
Nigel Farage‘s Reform UK is second with 25%, while the Tories are on 18%.
Labour, which had nosedived in polls since the 2024 general election, overtook Reform in polling after Mr Burnham became leader.
The Prime Minister made a series of announcements aimed at easing the cost-of-living after entering 10 Downing Street last month.
But he has faced a row over the prison early release scheme amid outrage the killers of PC Andrew Harper could be let out.
He is also facing pressure over the small boats crisis following a surge in crossings in recent weeks amid favourable weather conditions.
And he was criticised for jetting off on holiday at the beginning of August just weeks into the job.
Mr Burnham will kick off the second week of his summer tour of the UK tomorrow as he looks at issues “ignored by Westminster for too long”.
These issues include ending rough sleeping and resolving the “toxic dump, fly-tipping and environmental vandalism scandal”.
Mr Burnham will also be at Number 10 North during the week.
Blow to Andy Burnham as New PM’s Popularity Takes Hit in New Poll
Andy Burnham’s arrival at Downing Street initially generated considerable excitement across British politics. After a prolonged period of public dissatisfaction with the previous Labour government, his appointment as Prime Minister appeared to offer the country a fresh political direction. His confident public image, promises to improve living standards and commitment to rebuilding public services helped him attract widespread attention. However, new opinion polls suggest that the early enthusiasm surrounding his leadership is beginning to weaken. Although Burnham remains a relatively popular political figure, the latest figures indicate that an increasing number of voters are becoming dissatisfied with his performance. This development raises important questions about whether his initial political momentum can be maintained.
According to a YouGov survey published on 23 October 2026, Burnham has struggled to convince some voters that his government is meeting their expectations during its first 100 days in office. The survey found that only 23 per cent of respondents believed he had performed as well as they had hoped. Meanwhile, 12 per cent of those who had initially expected him to perform well said they had been disappointed. Another 23 per cent said he had performed as poorly as they had anticipated, while 14 per cent of those who had expected him to perform badly admitted that he had done better than expected. The results suggest that public opinion remains divided over his early performance.
These figures are significant because the first few months of a new government are traditionally an important period for establishing political credibility. A newly appointed Prime Minister often benefits from what is commonly described as a honeymoon period, during which voters are willing to give the government time to demonstrate its policies and priorities. However, this initial goodwill does not last indefinitely. Once political promises are tested against everyday economic realities, voters begin to judge leaders according to their achievements rather than their public image.
Burnham’s experience illustrates this challenge. His early rise in popularity was partly driven by the contrast between his leadership style and that of Keir Starmer. Many Labour supporters had become frustrated with the previous government’s communication, economic policies and perceived inability to deliver meaningful change. Burnham presented himself as a more energetic and approachable alternative. His political messaging focused on practical issues, including household expenses, transport costs, public services and regional development. These priorities helped him establish a connection with voters who wanted a change in direction.
Nevertheless, the latest polling suggests that winning public attention is considerably easier than maintaining public confidence. According to YouGov’s political favourability survey published on 20 October 2026, 46 per cent of British adults viewed Burnham favourably, while 42 per cent viewed him unfavourably. This left him with a positive net favourability rating of just four percentage points, compared with a peak of thirteen points in August. Although he remained the most favourably viewed serving political leader in the survey, the proportion of people expressing negative opinions had reached its highest level since he became Prime Minister.
The decline is particularly interesting because it suggests that Burnham’s political honeymoon may be approaching its end. A positive net favourability rating does not necessarily mean that a leader enjoys overwhelming public support. When favourable and unfavourable opinions become increasingly balanced, the government may find it more difficult to persuade undecided voters that its policies are working. Furthermore, negative perceptions can become more influential if economic conditions deteriorate or controversial political decisions attract sustained media attention.
One of the biggest challenges facing Burnham is the British economy. Many households continue to experience financial pressure from energy bills, housing costs, food prices and other essential expenses. Although his government has announced measures intended to reduce the cost of living, voters will ultimately judge these policies according to their practical impact. Promising lower bills is politically attractive, but delivering sustainable reductions requires careful financial planning and effective economic management.
The government must also address weak economic growth, public debt and pressure on public services. The National Health Service, education system and local authorities all require substantial investment. At the same time, the government faces difficult decisions about taxation and public expenditure. If it raises taxes to finance additional spending, businesses and households may become dissatisfied. However, if it reduces spending, public services could struggle to meet increasing demand. Burnham must therefore balance competing priorities without undermining confidence in the wider economy.
The upcoming Autumn Budget represents another important test of his leadership. Chancellor John Healey is expected to outline the government’s financial priorities and explain how Labour intends to manage public finances. The public is already concerned about the possibility of further tax increases. Opinium’s polling published on 24 October found that 34 per cent of respondents expected the Budget to be unfair, compared with just 17 per cent who expected it to be fair. Nearly half remained uncertain. These findings demonstrate the difficult political environment in which Burnham’s government must operate.
Another important issue is the growing gap between political expectations and government performance. During his leadership campaign, Burnham promised to restore confidence in Labour and offer a more practical approach to governing. Such promises created considerable expectations among supporters. However, voters who experience little improvement in their daily lives may gradually become frustrated. The government cannot rely indefinitely on the argument that it needs more time, particularly when people are facing immediate economic difficulties.
Political opponents will also attempt to take advantage of any decline in Burnham’s popularity. Kemi Badenoch and the Conservatives may argue that Labour has failed to provide the economic improvements it promised. Nigel Farage and Reform UK are likely to continue presenting themselves as an alternative for voters dissatisfied with traditional political parties. Meanwhile, the Green Party may attempt to attract younger voters and those who believe Labour has moved away from its progressive commitments. Competition from these parties could make maintaining Labour’s political support increasingly complicated.
However, it would be misleading to interpret the latest figures as evidence that Burnham’s government has already lost public confidence. Other polling results present a more positive picture. Opinium’s voting intention survey, conducted between 21 and 23 October, placed Labour on 30 per cent, eight percentage points ahead of Reform UK on 22 per cent. The same survey found that Burnham had a net approval rating of plus six, with 38 per cent approving of his performance and 32 per cent disapproving. He also remained ahead of Badenoch and Farage when respondents were asked who would make the better Prime Minister.
This apparent contradiction highlights the importance of understanding different types of political polling. Personal favourability measures whether voters have a positive or negative impression of a politician. Approval ratings examine how people assess the politician’s performance in office, while voting intention measures which political party respondents would support in an election. These indicators are related, but they are not interchangeable. A Prime Minister can experience declining personal popularity while his political party continues to perform relatively well in voting intention surveys.
Indeed, Labour’s position in the polls suggests that Burnham’s leadership has helped the party recover some of the support it lost under Starmer. According to The Independent’s analysis of polling trends published on 26 October, Labour’s average voting intention had reached approximately 29 per cent, compared with around 21 per cent shortly before Burnham entered Downing Street. This represents a substantial improvement in the party’s national position, even as questions emerge about the Prime Minister’s personal popularity.
Ultimately, Burnham’s greatest challenge is to convert political promises into measurable improvements. His communication skills and ability to attract public attention may have contributed to his early success, but effective leadership requires more than favourable headlines and encouraging speeches. Voters want affordable living costs, better healthcare, secure employment, improved housing and a government capable of managing the economy responsibly.
In conclusion, the latest opinion polls represent an important warning for Andy Burnham, although they do not demonstrate a complete collapse in his political support. His net favourability has declined from its August peak, and a significant proportion of voters remain disappointed with his performance. Nevertheless, he continues to enjoy positive ratings in several surveys, while Labour maintains a lead over its main political competitors. The coming months, particularly the Autumn Budget, will provide a clearer indication of whether his government can maintain public confidence. Ultimately, Burnham’s political future will depend less on the excitement surrounding his arrival at Downing Street and more on his ability to deliver tangible results for ordinary British citizens.