Conservatives register worst favourable scores this parliament

• 58% unfavourable towards Conservatives. Previous high was 56% in October 2022.
• Three quarters think Britain needs a fresh team of leaders but fewer than half of this group confident Labour can provide fresh leadership.

The latest Ipsos Political Pulse, taken 15th to 18th March 2024 explores public attitudes to the various parties and their leaders, whether it is time for a fresh team of leaders in Britain and confidence in Labour to provide such leadership.

Favourability towards parties 

• 58% are unfavourable towards the Conservative Party this month and 19% are favourable. This is the highest proportion unfavourable this parliament with the previous high being registered in October (56% unfavourable, 20% favourable).

• Meanwhile, 34% are favourable towards the Labour Party and 41% are unfavourable. The net rating of -7 is lower than the -1 recorded in February but similar to the -6 achieved in January. Favourability towards other parties can be found below.

Favourability towards politicians

• Similarly, more Britons are unfavourable towards Rishi Sunak than at any point this parliament. 57% unfavourable, 19% unfavourable. 

• Meanwhile, 29% are favourable towards Labour leader Keir Starmer and 42% are unfavourable. Figures are similar to last month’s 30% favourable and 41% unfavourable. 
• Favourability figures for other leading politicians can be found below:

Elsewhere in the poll:

• 77% agree that Britain needs a fresh team of political leaders in government. The same figure as September 2023. 
• Of this group, just 41% are confident Labour can provide the fresh team of political leaders needed. In September it was 42%.
• 64% think things in Britain are heading in the wrong direction. 16% say right direction. 6 in 10 have said wrong direction consistently since last April.
• 55% think Brexit has had a negative impact on the country, 21% think it has had a positive impact and 18% say no difference. Figures are consistent over time.

Keiran Pedley, Director of Politics at Ipsos, said

As General Election year progresses analysts are keeping a watchful eye for signs of the polls narrowing. However, if anything, the underlying indicators are moving against the Conservatives rather than towards them. More Britons are unfavourable towards the Conservatives and Rishi Sunak than at any point this parliament and a consistent three quarters say it is time for a new team of political leaders in Westminster – even if they aren’t necessarily confident Labour can provide this

Technical Note

Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1,111 adults aged 18+ across Great Britain. Interviews were conducted by telephone between the 15th to 18th March 2024. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.