Redfield & Wilton Strategies’ latest voting intention poll in Great Britain finds the Labour Party and the Conservative Party tied, following Labour’s one-point lead in last week’s poll. Altogether, the full numbers (with the changes from last week in parentheses) are as follows:
Conservative 37% (+1)
Labour 37% (–)
Liberal Democrat 9% (-1)
Green 6% (+1)
Scottish National Party 4% (–)
Reform UK 4% (–)
Plaid Cymru 0% (-1)
Other 2% (–)
When those who say they do not know how they would vote in a General Election are included, the Labour Party and Conservative Party are also tied. After weighting by likelihood to vote, 15% of the sample say they do not know how they would vote, including 13% of those who voted Conservative in December 2019 and 7% of those who voted Labour.
This week’s sample has 55% of respondents saying they would be ‘certain to vote’ if there were to be a General Election tomorrow. Those who voted Conservative in 2019 (63%) are slightly more likely to say they are ‘certain to vote’ than those who voted for Labour in 2019 (61%).
Healthcare remains the issue respondents consider most likely to determine how they would vote in the next General Election. When asked to select up to three issues which would most determine how they would vote in a General Election, if there were to be one tomorrow, respondents select healthcare (55%), the economy (43%), immigration (28%), education (26%), the environment (25%), and coronavirus restrictions (22%).
If a General Election were to take place in the next six months, 33% of respondents expect the outcome to be a Conservative Party majority (no change). 18% expect a Labour Party majority (down 1%), 17% expect a Conservative Party-led minority Government (down 1%), and 8% expect a Labour Party-led minority Government (up 1%). 58% of 2019 Conservative Party voters think the Conservatives would achieve a majority (up 2%), whereas 41% of 2019 Labour voters expect that Labour would win a majority (down 2%).
The Government’s net competency rating is -17% in this week’s poll, a three-point increase from last week’s lowest net competency rating we have recorded for the Government this year. Altogether, 25% find the Government competent (up 1%), 42% find the Government incompetent (down 2%), and 24% find the Government neither competent nor incompetent (no change).
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s net approval rating stands at -8%, a two-point increase since last week. This week’s poll finds 44% disapproving (down 1%) of his overall job performance, against 36% approving (up 1%).
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak receives a net approval rating of +16%, representing a three-point decrease compared to last week’s result. 41% say they approve of Rishi Sunak’s job performance (down 2%), while 25% disapprove (up 1%).
Keir Starmer’s net approval rating has increased by four points in the past week, now standing at -5%. 33% disapprove of Keir Starmer’s job performance (down 2%), while 28% approve (up 2%). Meanwhile, 33% neither approve nor disapprove of Starmer’s job performance (no change).
Between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer, 41% say they think Boris Johnson would be a better Prime Minister for the United Kingdom at this moment than Keir Starmer, a result which has increased marginally from 40% in last week’s poll. Conversely, 32% think Keir Starmer would be the better Prime Minister when compared to Boris Johnson (also up 1%).
More specifically, Boris Johnson continues to lead over Keir Starmer as being the one who best embodies the following descriptions: ‘can build a strong economy’ (42% to 29%), ‘stands up for the interests of the United Kingdom’ (41% to 33%), ‘knows how to get things done’ (40% to 28%), and ‘can bring British people together’ (40% to 32%).
Keir Starmer continues to lead over Boris Johnson when it comes to best embodying the descriptions of ‘being in good physical and mental health’ (39% to 30%) and ‘is willing to work with other parties when possible’ (35% to 32%). Starmer also now leads as being the one who best ‘represents change’ (36% to 33%).
Meanwhile, pluralities of respondents say they do not know which of the two ‘tells the truth’ (44%), ‘is creative’ (42%), or ‘prioritises the environment’ (40%).
Further, 35% say Boris Johnson (no change) and 34% say Rishi Sunak (up 1%) would be the better Prime Minister for the UK at this moment.
Rishi Sunak holds a seven-point lead over Keir Starmer for the best Prime Minister at this moment. Between Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak, 39% think Rishi Sunak would be the better Prime Minister for the United Kingdom (up 1%), against 32% who think Keir Starmer would be (down 1%).