Plummeting approval rating for Keir Starmer hits a new low record

The political landscape in the United Kingdom is experiencing a significant shift as various parties prepare for the upcoming autumn Budget.

This weekend, the Reform UK party will hold its conference, marking a crucial moment in the political calendar. Meanwhile, the focus is on the Labour party, led by Keir Starmer, as they gear up for potential tax hikes to fund public services.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to aim for a £20bn increase in taxes for the budget. However, a poll conducted monthly since January indicates intense pressure on the UK government, with three quarters of voters expecting tax hikes. Among the rumoured tax hikes, increasing duties on alcohol and extending national insurance to rental income received the most support.

The Conservative opposition has criticized Starmer's changes in personnel, claiming it does not bode well for Rachel Reeves. Keir Starmer has made new appointments to bolster No10's policies on the UK economy. Notable appointments include Minouche Shafik, the former deputy governor of the Bank of England, who was appointed as the chief economic advisor, and Dan York-Smith, a civil servant in the Treasury, who was made Starmer's principal private secretary.

However, Starmer's net approval has hit a record low of -41, according to a poll by City AM and Freshwater Strategy. His colleague, Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, also saw a drop in approval, with a net rating of -17, a decrease of two points.

Labour is hoping to claw back support to secure a majority government. Half of Labour voters prefer tax cuts over more spending, a stark contrast to the majority of voters (57%) who prefer tax and spending cuts.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana are looking to finalize branding for a new party challenging the government from the left. However, a majority of respondents in the City AM/Freshwater Strategy poll said they had either never heard of Zarah Sultana or did not have an opinion on her. The poll also showed voters disliked Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, with their respective net approval ratings shown to be minus 27 and minus 7.

Nigel Farage's approval ratings have slipped into negative territory, at -6. With the political landscape shifting, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the upcoming autumn Budget and the future of UK politics.