More than half of the public now disapprove of the job Liz Truss is doing as Prime Minister, a new opinion poll has found. The survey was carried out in the wake of the financial market turmoil which followed Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget.
Opinium’s latest poll found 55% disapprove of the job she is doing. This compares with 18% who approve – a net rating of minus 37.
Support for Mr Kwarteng has dropped too, with 55% disapproving against 15% approving – a net rating of minus 40. This is down 30 points on a week ago.
Half – 51% – thought Mr Kwarteng should quit against 18% who want him to stay. Almost as many - 48% - want Ms Truss to go with 26% saying she should carry on.
In contrast, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has seen his rating rise with 38% approval against 29% disapproval – a net rating of plus nine, up from minus four last week. Overall, Labour has opened up a 19-point lead over the Tories – with support for Sir Keir’s party up seven points on 46% while the Conservatives are down seven on 27%.
On the economy, just 20% think the Conservatives are best placed to handle it, down 10 points on the week, while 39% believe it would do better under Labour, a 10-point rise. It means that in the space of a week, a one-point lead for the Tories on the issue has turned into a 19-point advantage for Labour.
Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 2,000 GB adults aged 18 and over. The poll was conducted between September 28-30.