Voting intention: 20th May 2026
See the full data tables here.
Labour’s leadership problems appear to be deepening, with nearly half of the public now saying Keir Starmer should resign rather than contest a future Labour leadership election. At the same time, Andy Burnham has emerged as the clear public favourite to replace him, outperforming both Starmer and Wes Streeting across a wide range of leadership measures.
While Reform continues to lead voting intention nationally, both Labour and the Conservatives have edged upwards slightly since earlier this month. Yet beneath the headline numbers, the poll suggests public pessimism about Britain’s political class remains entrenched.
Reform maintains lead as Starmer remains deeply unpopular
Reform UK continues to lead national voting intention on 27%, followed by Labour on 20% and the Conservatives on 18%. The Greens stand on 15%, while the Liberal Democrats are on 12%.
Keir Starmer’s approval rating remains heavily negative at net –43, unchanged since earlier this month. No major political figure tested in the survey achieved a positive net approval score.
Among the main party leaders:
- Kemi Badenoch: –7
- Ed Davey: –2
- Nigel Farage: –19
- Zack Polanski: –19
Among senior Labour figures seen as possible future leadership contenders, Andy Burnham performs significantly better than most Westminster politicians, sitting only narrowly negative on –3. Angela Rayner remains on –30, while Wes Streeting stands at –25.
On the “Best Prime Minister” question, Badenoch leads Starmer by one point, while Farage also leads Starmer by one point.
Public increasingly open to a post-Starmer Labour Party
Nearly half (48%) say Keir Starmer should resign rather than stand in a future Labour leadership contest, compared with 32% who believe he should remain in the race.
When voters are asked who they would like to replace Starmer as Labour leader and Prime Minister, Andy Burnham emerges as the frontrunner on 20%, well ahead of Angela Rayner (5%), Wes Streeting (3%) and Shabana Mahmood (3%).
In a direct leadership contest between Burnham, Starmer and Streeting, Burnham leads overall on 29%, compared to Starmer’s 16% and Streeting’s 8%. Among 2024 Labour voters, Burnham also leads Starmer comfortably .
Burnham outperforms Labour rivals on leadership qualities
When respondents compare the three likely Labour leadership contenders across a range of attributes, Andy Burnham consistently outperforms both Starmer and Streeting.
Burnham scores especially strongly on:
- Providing hope and optimism for the future (28%)
- Providing strong leadership (27%)
- Rebuilding trust in politics (25%)
He also leads on perceptions of competence, economic management, tackling the cost of living and rebuilding public trust.
On broader personal characteristics, Burnham achieves positive net ratings on 14 of the 15 attributes tested. His strongest scores are for being competent (+17), likeable (+16) and able to get things done (+14).
Labour brand remains in deep negative territory
While Burnham performs relatively well personally, attitudes towards Labour as a party remain bleak.
Labour scores negatively on every attribute tested. Its weakest ratings are on being united (–48), representing what most people think (–40) and being in touch with ordinary people (–37).
The findings suggest that dissatisfaction with Labour may now extend beyond individual leadership concerns and into broader questions about the party’s identity and direction.
Politicians remain Britain’s least trusted profession
Public trust in politics remains extremely weak.
Politicians are the least trusted profession tested in the survey, with a net trust rating of –60. By contrast, nurses (+70), GPs (+57) and teachers (+50) are among the most trusted groups in British society.
Landlords (–21) and bankers (–5) also score negatively overall, though both remain substantially more trusted than politicians.
Brexit debate remains unresolved
Opinion on Britain’s relationship with the European Union remains divided.
Just over a third (36%) say the UK should rejoin the EU. However, a larger proportion favour remaining outside the bloc in some form, whether through a closer relationship, maintaining the current arrangement or pursuing a more distant relationship.
Among alternative options, negotiating a closer relationship with the EU attracts the broadest level of acceptability across the public.
The poll also finds that voters believe constitutional or structural changes should often require a stronger democratic mandate. Half of respondents say rejoining the EU should only happen following a referendum.
Public backs tougher parenting orders
Among recent policy announcements, the public is broadly supportive of plans to strengthen “parenting orders” for parents of children who repeatedly offend.
A majority (53%) support the proposal, while only 13% oppose it.
Opinion is more divided on the government’s temporary relaxation of sanctions on Russian oil products. Around 37% believe the move was the wrong decision, compared with 35% who believe it was right.
Boilerplate
Opinium conducted a nationally and politically representative survey of UK adults between 20th and 22nd May 2026.