Public back Burnham over Kemi and Nigel to do good job as PM, poll shows | News Politics

The British public is more likely to think Andy Burnham will make a good Prime Minister compared to Kemi Badenoch or Nigel Farage, a new poll has found.

But the new figures also show danger could lie ahead for the Labour heir apparent, as Brits prefer for him to face a contest for the party leadership as opposed to the more likely coronation.

Polling by Ipsos revealed 35% thought Burnham would do a good job as PM compared to 24% who believed he would do a bad job.

He was the only politician in the survey where more people had confidence than lacked it. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch was backed by 29% while 37% said she would do badly in the role.

Farage, the leader of Reform UK, had the highest percentage of people saying he would do a bad job among top politicians – 53% – while 27% believed he would be a good PM.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and the Green Party’s Zack Polanski also scored lower than Burnham.

The former Mayor of Greater Manchester’s path to Downing Street became clearer this morning, as Starmer loyalist Darren Jones said he would not run against him.

There had been speculation the current Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister could join a contest on behalf of those irked that Starmer had been forced from office.

But Jones told Sky News this morning he had a ‘reassuring conversation’ with Burnham about his economic plans that convinced him not to stand.

All eyes are now on former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, who has not yet ruled out a crack at the top job – though few would expect him to beat the favourite.

Nevertheless, the Ipsos poll suggests many people would like someone to have a go, with 39% wanting a contest compared to 13% who would like a Burnham coronation.

And there was further skepticism that Labour could provide ‘strong and stable leadership’, with more than six in ten voicing doubts – perhaps unsurprisingly, since the leader only stepped down on Monday.

Keiran Pedley, the Ipsos Director of Politics, said: ‘Given that Andy Burnham is seen as more likely to do a good job as Prime Minister than Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch it is reasonable to suggest that a Burnham led Labour Party could improve in the polls once he takes office.

‘However, given than 6 in 10 lack confidence that Labour can offer strong and stable leadership, there is work to do for the expected incoming Prime Minister to show that Labour has the answers for the long term.’

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