Nigel Farage plummets to lowest approval level since election in new poll
Nigel Farage’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since the 2024 general election, according to a new poll, and in the latest evidence that Reform UK’s support is on the brink of collapse.
According to More in Common’s latest approval rating of party leaders, Mr Farage has fallen by nearly 10 points to -32 per cent in just two weeks.
Meanwhile, new prime minister Andy Burnham continues to capitalize on the momentum gained in his first few days in office, reaching +19 per cent.
His approval rating surpasses the high of +11 achieved shortly after Sir Keir Starmer took office in the summer of 2024.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has 0 points, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has -11 points, while Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who has also experienced a dramatic decline in his fortunes, has -24 points.
While Mr Farage is still above the -49 per cent mark achieved by Sir Keir at one point in his premiership, the More Partners finding is the worst for the Reform UK leader in at least two years.
Luke Tryl, UK director of More in Common, said: “What might worry Farage is that the rise in disapproval is less, which is always polarising, and the fall in raw approval is greater, which suggests earlier fans are hesitating.”
The latest findings show that another poll by More in Common saw Labor overtake Reform UK for the first time in more than a year and come first with 28 per cent (up four points), while Mr Farage’s party was down two points on 24 per cent.
Labor leads for the first time since March 2025; Reform is in second place, and the Conservatives are in third place with 22 percent.
The rapid decline in Mr Farage’s popularity comes after weeks of negative headlines; There were still unanswered questions about undeclared gifts and donations, as well as benefits he received from consultant George Cottrell, a convicted fraudster.
Meanwhile, polling guru Professor Sir John Curtice noted that Reform UK had suffered a three-point drop in popularity since Mr Farage resigned as MP to call a by-election in Clacton.
While 34 candidates are running in the by-election, Farage is expected to win by a landslide after the major parties refused to object to the vote. His biggest rival is comedian Count Binface.
But leading pollster Lord Robert Hayward warned that the decline in Mr Farage’s popularity was a much bigger problem for Reform than for other parties.
he said Independent: “Nigel Farage is more committed to the Reform brand than any other party leader.
“This means that if its support falls, it shows that Reformation is in real trouble and that could be the beginning of a real decline.”
But he added: “It’s hard to pinpoint specifically what caused Farage’s rapid decline. It’s not just donor issues. I think there’s something to be said about the way Andy Burnham dominated the news; it was all about Burnham.”
Since taking over, Mr Burnham has taken on Mr Farage on social media platforms with a series of TikTok-style videos, including him tasting snacks at the blind bar. He has also announced consumer-friendly policies such as a £2 bus fare cap, a 20 per cent discount on pub business rates and a VAT cut on energy bills.
While there are still questions about how Mr Burnham will pay for his commitments, he has also made clear he plans to tackle the social care crisis, end rough sleeping and increase defense spending to 3 per cent of GDP.
Prof Curtice said Mr Farage’s decision to call a by-election meant that Ofcom rules made it difficult for him to be interviewed without reference to the other 33 candidates.
“This means the by-election is off television screens as it makes broadcasters nervous,” he said.
Prof Curtice added: “There is no doubt that Andy Burnham and Labor are using the summer break to control the news agenda, just as Nigel Farage and Reform used it last year.”
