Politics LIVE: Keir Starmer's popularity slumps to record low as voters turn to Nigel Farage in new poll

Labour accused of ‘begging’ Donald Trump to end Chagos chaos after David Lammy admission: ‘Mess of their own making!’
GB NEWS
Jack Walters

By Jack Walters


Published: 16/05/2025

- 07:31

Updated: 16/05/2025

- 14:22

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Sir Keir Starmer has suffered a fresh drop in popularity as Nigel Farage continues to make inroads with the electorate.

The Prime Minister recorded a net score of -46 per cent, with just 16 per cent holding a favourable view towards the Labour leader.


YouGov, who carried out the polling, said: "This fall in Starmer’s popularity is concentrated among Labour voters, half of whom (50 per cent) now have an unfavourable view of the Prime Minister, a 17-point increase from mid-April.

"The proportion with a favourable opinion has correspondingly fallen from 62 per cent to 45 per cent over the last month.

"This is the first time Keir Starmer has recorded a net negative approval rating among Labour voters."

Meanwhile, 32 per cent of Britons hold a favourable view towards Farage, giving him a net score of -27 per cent.

Commenting on public sentiment towards the Reform UK leader, YouGov added: "The boost in Nigel Farage’s popularity is more universal than the fall in Starmer’s, with his net rating improving among supporters of all major parties.

"This is, though, most notable with 2024 Labour voters, where his net rating now stands at -64, up from -79 this time last month.

"Among those who voted for the Conservatives last year, Nigel Farage has flipped his minus five per cent net favourability rating from last month to plus five per cent this month.

"His standing with Reform UK voters has recovered from its dip after his row with Rupert Lowe in March, with 87 per cent having a favourable opinion of the Reform leader."

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PICTURED: Campaigners opposing Assisted Dying gather outside Parliament

Campaigners opposing the assisted dying legislation demonstrate outside the Palace of Westminster in London,

Campaigners opposing the assisted dying legislation demonstrate outside the Palace of Westminster in London

PA

PICTURED: Campaigners supporting Assisted Dying gather outside Parliament

Campaigners supporting Assisted Dying gather outside Parliament

Campaigners supporting Assisted Dying gather outside Parliament

PA

MPs agree to vote on first set of amendments

MPs have agreed to vote on the first set of amendments attached to the Assisted Dying Bill - by 288 votes to 239.

Clause 10, which was tabled by Kim Leadbeater herself, "expands the protection" in the bill for medical practitioners to make clear that they have "no obligation" to do anything under the act.

It also provides legal protections for medical professionals if they do not wish to carry out an assisted death.

Tory MP Rebecca Paul tabled Clause 10 (a) in a bid to give employers the right to impose a blanket ban on their staff from facilitating an assisted death.

Clause 11, also proposed by Leadbeater, sets out the procedure for handing over the care of a patient applying for an assisted death from one doctor to another where the original one is "unable or unwilling" to continue with the process.

Another Leadbeater amendment, new Clause 12, mandates that the doctor coordinating the application for an assisted death writes a report setting out the reason for their decision to prevent a person "shopping around" for a doctor willing to approve their application.

'There's a delay!' Speaker intervenes as MPs vote on crunch Assisted Dying vote

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has instructed Serjeant at Arms Ugbana Oyet to "inspect" a delay in the no lobby ahead of today's "closure motion" vote.

'We've changed our minds!' Growing group of MPs switch support to oppose Assisted Dying Bill

A group of MPs have switched their support on the controversial Assisted Dying Bill.

Kim Leadbeater's Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill had sailed through the House of Commons with a 55-strong majority in November.


However, at least 10 MPs have changed their position and will now vote against the legislation.

Debbie Abrahams and Peter Lamb have both publicly said they will now be voting against the bill.

Tory MPs Charlie Dewhirst, George Freeman and Andrew Snowden are now also opposing the bill.

Labour MP Karl Turner, who had supported Leadbeater's bill, is now expected to abstain.

However, Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin appears to have taken a different position to her predecessor Mike Amesbury, vowing to vote in favour.

Keir Starmer warns allies Europe faces 'crucial moment' at EPC summit

Sir Keir Starmer at the EPC summit

Sir Keir Starmer at the EPC summit

REUTERS

Sir Keir Starmer has warned Europe is facing a "crucial moment" during his speech at the European Political Community summit in Tirana.

The Prime Minister characterised the "new era" as one grappling with "volatility and instability", adding: "That is the new era that we are entering."

However, Starmer stressed there is an "opportunity" for European allies to come together while the UK continues to undergo its Brexit "reset".

Looking ahead to the first UK-EU summit on May 19, Starmer concluded: "It's a very important moment in this new era."

Kemi Badenoch rules out 'any coalitions' with Reform UK and defends 'MSP gaffe'

Kemi Badenoch has ruled out entering any coalitions with Reform UK as she was forced to address an error made in her keynote Welsh Conservative Conference speech.

"I have always said that at national level we are not forming any coalitions or forming any deals or pacts with Reform," she said.

"Talk of coalitions is politicians talking about how they're going to win and sort things out for themselves, not for people out there."

Addressing her mix-up between Welsh Members of the Senedd and Members of the Scottish Parliament, Badenoch said she was "ad-libbing".

She added: "What really matters is that I'm here again because I'm demonstrating my commitment to Wales."

'Our country needs us!' Kemi Badenoch urges voters not to write off Tories yet

Kemi Badenoch

Kemi Badenoch

PA

Kemi Badenoch has urged voters not to write off the Tories ahead of next year's Senedd Election.

She told attendees at the Welsh Tory conference: “Conservative values still matter. Our country still needs us. But the path back will take time. There will be setbacks, but I am here to remind you that Conservatism is worth fighting for.”

Badenoch added: “People want to write us off, they want to say that we are out of the game because they forget that we are a party based on values. What we stand for must never, ever be lost.

“We stand for patriotism, for hard work, for responsibility, for freedom. That is worth fighting for.”

Badenoch, who accidentally referred to Members of the Senedd as MSPs, arrived at the conference after polls showed the Tories slumping into fourth place.

Plaid Cymru and Reform UK are battling it out for top spot, with Labour falling into a distant third place.

PICTURED: Keir Starmer standing with Volodymyr Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron

Keir Starmer, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's President Emmanuel Macron stand together during the family photo at the 6th European Political Community

Keir Starmer, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's President Emmanuel Macron stand together during the family photo at the 6th European Political Community

REUTERS

Keir Starmer appears alongside Volodymyr Zelensky at EPC Summit

Sir Keir Starmer sat alongside Volodymyr Zelensky

Sir Keir Starmer sat alongside Volodymyr Zelensky

REUTERS

Sir Keir Starmer has appeared alongside Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky at a plenary meeting at the beginning of the European Political Community Summit.

The Prime Minister has been ramping up pressure as part of the "coalition of the willing" to push Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.

Wes Streeting shares criticism of Esther Rantzen over Assisted Dying Bill

Wes StreetingWes StreetingGetty

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has shared criticism of Dame Esther Rantzen after she suggested some people who opposed the Assisted Dying Bill held "undeclared personal religious beliefs".

Labour MP Jess Asato said in a post on X that Dame Esther’s comment was “distasteful”.

Streeting, who voted against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in November last year, later reposted the criticism.

'Why now?!' Stephen Dixon grills Bridget Phillipson on young people needing 'grit'

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson faced pointed questioning from Stephen Dixon over the government's new initiative to teach children "grit" to tackle growing mental health issues in schools.

The exchange came after Phillipson and Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced plans to help children develop resilience to prepare them for life's "ups and downs" in the classroom.

The Government's drive aims to address deteriorating mental health among young people, which is driving record school absences according to recent Department for Education data.

The classroom interventions will include sessions to tackle anxiety and low mood, with struggling schools receiving additional support.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

RECAP: 'F***ing French!' David Lammy accused of 'losing it' as cab driver speaks out over taxi fare row

David Lammy

David Lammy

PA

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been accused of shouting "f***ing French" twice during a furious row over a taxi fare.

Nasim Mimun, the 40-year-old cab driver, claimed Lammy got aggressive when asked to pay for a six-hour trip last month from Forli in Italy to a ski resort in the French Alps.

The driver told The Sun: “When he got out of the vehicle, he said, ‘f***ing French, f***ing French’. I was afraid.”

Despite Mimun's comments, the taxi driver is due to appear in court in November after driving away with Lammy and his wife Nicola Green's belongings.

Responding to Mimun's account of the incident, a Foreign Office spokesman said: “We totally refute these allegations.

“The fare was paid in full. The Foreign Secretary and his wife are named as victims in this matter and the driver has been charged with theft.

"As there is an ongoing legal process, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Ukrainian man, 21, appears in court on arson charges over fires on Keir Starmer-linked properties

A 21-year-old Ukrainian man has appeared in court charged with a series of arson attacks on two properties and a car linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Roman Lavrynovych, who was driven to court in an unmarked van under police escort, is charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.

He was arrested at an address in Sydenham, south-east London, in the early hours of Tuesday and charged on Thursday evening.

The Ukrainian national wore a prison issue grey track suit as he appeared in the glass-fronted dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

'Sincerest form of flattery!' Suella Braverman 'takes credit' as Keir Starmer 'imitates' ex-Home Secretary's migration stance

A former Conservative Home Secretary has said "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" after Sir Keir Starmer warned that mass migration will turn the UK into an "island of strangers".

Suella Braverman told GB News' Chopper's Political Podcast that perhaps she should "take credit" for the Prime Minister's sudden toughening of language on migration.

Asked for her reaction to hearing the hardline rhetoric from a Labour Prime Minister this week, Braverman said: "They say imitation is the best form of flattery.

"Maybe I should take the credit for. Maybe he's secretly reading my speeches. Who knows?"

Keir Starmer sends heartfelt message after three pronounced dead in Bicester fire

Sir Keir Starmer has sent a heartfelt message to the victims and survivors from last night's fire at a former RAF base in Bicester.

Taking to social media, the Prime Minister said: "Devastating news. My thoughts are with their families and friends. The bravery of our firefighters is astounding. Hoping those in hospital make a full and swift recovery."

Starmer's comments came shortly after two firefighters and a member of the public had been confirmed dead following the tragic blaze.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

'Worrying about immigration doesn't make you right-wing or racist', says Red Wall Labour MP

Being worried about immigration is "legitimate" and does not "make you right-wing or racist", a leading Red Wall MP has told GB News.

Speaking to GB News' Chopper's Political Podcast, Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash described concerns about migration as "a perfectly legitimate concern".

Brash is a leading member of the of the increasingly influential "Blue Labour" group, which wants the Government to adopt more policies to take the fight to Reform UK.

He said: "We want the Government to adopt policies that put our working class communities, our post-industrial heartlands first, that recognise that we have to invest in those areas, that have to create those jobs, that has to recognise the concerns that those voters have that are very clear."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Keir Starmer delays Chagos surrender over 'toxic backlash' from Tories and Reform

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to delay the handover of the Chagos Islands after receiving a "toxic backlash" from both Tory and Reform UK MPs.

The Prime Minister, who is still expected to push ahead with the deal, is also facing pressure from his own MPs as emboldened rebels break ranks on a number of issues.

“They know that they’re going to be attacked by the Tories and Reform for giving up sovereignty of the Chagos islands but it makes it much worse if they’re also being attacked from their own side,” a source told The Times.

“The deal is ready to go but Downing Street is refusing to give it the green light.”

SNP spent £400k arguing trans women are women

Scottish First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney during Edinburgh PrideScottish First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney during Edinburgh PridePA

SNP ministers spent nearly £400,000 of taxpayers' money on legal fees arguing that transgender women should have access to female-only toilets, receipts obtained by the Scottish Tories have revealed.

The Scottish Government spent more than £216,000 fighting the case in Scotland's highest civil court and almost £160,000 on their failed case at the Supreme Court.

The legal battle against feminist group For Women Scotland (FWS) culminated in the UK's highest court ruling that trans women are not women, overturning previous decisions in the Scottish courts.

The total bill currently stands at just under £374,000, with final costs "still being determined".

READ FULL STORY HERE

RECAP: ‘Two-tier justice!’ Keir Starmer braces for ‘rude awakening’ over betrayal of Troubles veterans

Sir Keir Starmer has been warned his Labour Government will face a “rude awakening” if it pushes ahead with plans to axe protections for Troubles veterans.

Labour has repeatedly pledged to amend the Legacy Act, a piece of legislation introduced by the Tories to bring to an end vexatious prosecutions against veterans.

However, there are now fears that the potential changes could bring hundreds of criminal and civil claims against former British soldiers.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

WATCH NOW: Katie Lam discusses the Tories migration plan before issue Keir Starmer Brexit warning

Tories lay out alternative Deportation Bill after Keir Starmer's 'return hubs' setback

Top Tories have laid out an alternative deportation plan just hours after Albania handed Sir Keir Starmer a major "return hubs" blow.

Conservatives hope tough legislation will mean that all illegal arrivals in the country would be automatically deported.

Other measures include: disapplying the Human Rights Act for all immigration-related matters, doubling the residency requirement, and even putting a cap on net migration.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Today, after Keir Starmer’s embarrassing visit to Albania in which he failed to secure the return hubs Labour said he would, the Conservative Party is moving forward with its Deportation Bill.

“This tough new piece of legislation shows that the Conservatives are serious about tackling the challenges of legal and illegal migration and would introduce measures such as the automatic deportation of all illegal arrivals to this country, and the disapplying of human rights legislation from immigration matters – ensuring this country is capable of defending its borders.

“If the Labour Government was at all serious about gripping this crisis they would back our bill.”

WATCH NOW: Lord Harper gives damning verdict on Keir Starmer's migrant strategy - 'Complete nonsense!' 

Keir Starmer refuses to rule out UNCAPPED migration deal with EU as 'confident' PM waits for 'reset' talks

Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out a Youth Mobility scheme with the EU could result in tens of thousands of migrants entering the UK.

Speaking to The Sun in Tirana yesterday, the Prime Minister declined to say whether there would be a quota on new entry tickets.

Starmer instead insisted he would not give a running commentary on talks.

He said: “We have to respect the outcome of the referendum and that’s the framework in which we have been negotiating.”

However, the Prime Minister is reportedly very confident about securing the "reset" in cross-Channel relations he wanted.

MPs prepare to debate Assisted Dying Bill - 130 amendments to consider

The controversial Assisted Dying Bill is returning to the House of Commons today - with 130 amendments up for consideration.

Five hours of debating is expected today but Kemi Badenoch and Sir Keir Starmer both look likely to miss the debate.

'I like dealing with money!' Richard Tice hints Nigel Farage would make him Chancellor

Nigel Farage and Richard Tice at No10

Nigel Farage and Richard Tice at No10

GETTY

Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice has hinted Nigel Farage would appoint him as Chancellor if a turquoise tidal wave propels the populist party into power at the next general election.

Tice told the BBC: “Well, I enjoy dealing with money. I’ve been involved in dealing with money in my business career over decades and that sort of is part of my journey.”

However, when pushed by BBC host Nick Robinson about whether that meant he wanted to become "Chancellor of the Exchequer Tice", the Boston & Skegness MP replied: "I’m not going to assume anything."

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