By Tony O’Riley-
Labour opposition leader, Keir Starmer, is enjoying a higher rate of leadership so far higher than any opposition leader since Tony Blair, according to a new poll.
The Labour leader has a net +31 per cent approval rating, equal to that of Mr Blair in December 1994.
Mr Johnson is however ahead of Sir Keir over who makes the “most capable Prime Minster” by 43 per cent to 38.
Sir Keir has the solid backing of 80 per cent of Labour supporters, unlike Mr Corbyn whose party and supporters were generally divided.
Some 51 per cent are satisfied with Sir Keir’s performance, while just 20 per cent are dissatisfied. The net score of +31 is the best recorded in the Ipsos MORI Political Monitor, since Blair who achieved +30 in March 1995 and +31 in December 1994
The polls indicate that Boris Johnson is still perceived to be the more capable prime minister in the minds of the public, despite indications that his reputation has plummeted over his handing of the coronavirus pandemic. The prime minister also has the support of 84% of Conservatives.
Gideon Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos MORI, said: “Labour will of course be encouraged that Keir Starmer is achieving comparable leader satisfaction ratings to Tony Blair and David Cameron when they led the opposition, as both went on to become general election winner.
“And there is an important difference – Boris Johnson is still more popular than John Major and Gordon Brown were when Blair and Cameron achieved their best scores. With concerns about the economy and the coronavirus high, how the two leaders handle these over the next few months will be crucial.”
History
Starmer has a decorated history, having been a defence lawyer specialising in human rights issues, before being appointed as a Queen’s Counsel (QC) in 2002.
In 2008, he became Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), functioning in that capacity until 2013.
His experience in the legal profession gives him an edge when it comes to questioning the prime minister on a strategic and unpredictable way. and presenting a case convincingly.
Starmer is Labour’s best chance of producing a British prime minister in a very long time, but still has some homework to do before he can comfortably be ahead on the polls, let alone sustain such a lead.
Achieving greater unity in his party is also a challenge he has, and apparently has been working towards.