UK: Public opinion on coronavirus – 4th June
Labour edges up to cut Tory lead to 3 points
The Conservative’s falling numbers have stabilised, but Labour continues to edge up giving the Tories a lead of only 3 points. This is, once again, the lowest Conservative lead since Boris Johnson became prime minister.
The Conservatives have held steady on 43% of the vote, the same as last week. However, Labour have managed to build even further on their position from last week, going up 1 point to 40% of the vote. This is the highest Labour vote share since January 2019.
These polling numbers are very similar to the parties’ respective performances in the 2017 general election.
Now 44% disapprove of the job Boris Johnson is doing
Disapproval of the way Boris Johnson is acting as prime minister has continued to increase with 44% now disapproving, up 2 points on last week. With the level approving of him holding steady on 37%, his net approval ratings have dropped from -5% to -7% this week.
By comparison Keir Starmer’s approval ratings remain incredibly high on +28%.
Boris Johnson only has 1-point lead as best PM
For the first time Boris Johnson’s lead as best prime minister has dropped to only 1 point: 36% think he would be the best prime minister (no change), with Keir Starmer on 35% (up 2 points on last week).
Net approval of the government’s handling of the crisis remains negative
Discontent at the government’s Corona handling has begun to rise again: now just under half (47%) disapprove of the way they have dealt with the crisis (up 4 points), while only a third (34%) approve (down 3 points from last week).
Once again, the perceived inaction or underreaction of the government appears to be a key driver of our deteriorating perception of the government’s crisis handling. For the past few weeks the public have narrowly perceived the government to be underreacting.
This week the public strongly perceived the government to be underreacting: 50% thought so versus only 30% believing them to be acting proportionally. Meanwhile, 14% think the government is overreacting.
You can find the full report here.
You can find the full data tables here.