Eight in ten Britons are dissatisfied with how the government is running the country

• Dissatisfaction rises to almost 9 in 10 amongst those with mortgages
• 58% think the economy will worsen in the next 12 months

The latest Ipsos Political Monitor, taken 14th to 20th June 2023, highlights strong public dissatisfaction with how the government is running the country (especially amongst mortgage holders) and increased public pessimism about the state of the economy. The survey also explores public satisfaction with the main party leaders and sees Labour’s lead in voting intention grow to 22 points.

The public are more dissatisfied with the current Government compared to last month:

• 80% are dissatisfied with the way the government is running the country (+4pts from May), 12% are satisfied (-3pts from May). This gives them a net satisfaction of -68, the lowest net satisfaction rating since Sunak became Prime Minister, and effectively the joint worst rating the Conservative government has had since the 2019 General Election (Liz Truss’ government registering a -69 in October).
• Mortgage holders are notably dissatisfied with the government’s performance. 87% are dissatisfied and just 9% are satisfied. This net score of -78 is worse than for those renting (-62) or those owning outright (-63).

In terms of satisfaction with party leaders: 

• Satisfaction with Sunak has declined since May. 28% are satisfied with the job Sunak is doing as Prime Minister (-2pts from May), 59% are dissatisfied (+4pts). Net = -31. 61% of Conservative supporters are satisfied with the job Sunak is doing (-7pts from May), 30% are dissatisfied (+9).
• Satisfaction with Starmer remains consistent with last month. 31% are satisfied with the job Sunak is doing as Prime Minister (No change from May), 49% are dissatisfied (-1pt). Net = -18. 56% of Labour supporters are satisfied with the job Starmer is doing (+6 pts from May), 29% are dissatisfied (-7).
• Sir Ed Davey’s ratings have remained consistent with last month. 23% are satisfied (-2 from May) and 34% are dissatisfied (+2).

Economic optimism 

The public continue to be pessimistic about the economic condition of the country moving forward – with scores falling back after recent improvements.

• 58% say the economy will worsen in the next year (+4 from May)
• 21% say the general economic condition of the country will improve (-3 from May)
• 18% say the general economic condition of the country will stay the same (No change from May)

Voting intention

Labour have extended their lead over the Conservatives in terms of voting intention:
•    Labour 47% (+3 from May); 
•    Conservative Party 25% (-3 from May)
•    The Liberal Democrats 13% (No change from May)
•    The Green Party 8% (+2 from May)
•    Other 8% (No change from May)

Ipsos Head of Politics Gideon Skinner said of the findings:

It’s been a difficult few weeks for the Conservatives, with the re-emergence of partygate and continuing concerns about inflation and interest rates.  This is reflected in our polling data on the fundamentals of government performance and the economy – 80% government dissatisfaction is well below the long term Ipsos average, and has only ever been worse under John Major 1992-95 and Theresa May in 2019.  Rishi Sunak’s personal ratings have also taken a dip, and while Keir Starmer’s ratings are also only average this hasn’t yet stopped Labour reinforcing its lead.   Delivery on the economy and public services will be key to hopes the Conservatives might have of kick-starting their recovery, but at the moment there is a distinct lack of optimism among the public – particularly mortgage holders and renters - that things will get better. 

Technical note:

Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1,033 adults aged 18+ across Great Britain. Interviews were conducted by telephone between 14 and 20 June 2023. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.   

On the basis of the historical record of the polls at recent general elections, there is a 9 in 10 chance that the true value of a party’s support lies within 4 points of the estimates provided by this poll, and a 2 in 3 chance that they lie within 2 points. This is especially important to keep in mind when calculating party lead figures.

For full Ipsos UK Political Monitor trends click here.