Politics LIVE: Starmer voted 'worst PM in modern history' after just five months in the job, horror polling reveals

WATCH: Broadcaster Lizzie Cundy says she doesn't trust Keir Starmer 'one bit'

GB NEWS
James Saunders

By James Saunders


Published: 16/12/2024

- 07:46

Updated: 16/12/2024

- 09:59

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Sir Keir Starmer has been branded the worst Prime Minister in modern history after just five months in the role, marking just the latest horror poll for the PM.

Fresh data from pollsters at Ipsos has handed Starmer a -34 'satisfaction rating' after five months in charge - worse than any other PM since the 1970s.


Just 27 per cent of those surveyed were satisfied with his performance, while an overwhelming 61 per cent were dissatisfied.

Rounding out the top three for most unpopular PMs after five months was Gordon Brown (-23) and Rishi Sunak (-22).

On the other end of the scale, Sir Tony Blair saw an overwhelming +57 in 1997, while Sir John Major enjoyed a +33 at the same stage of his time in charge.

It's not just personal - confidence in the economy under Starmer is the second worst in modern history, the poll discovered, with just 15 per cent of Britons believing it will improve over the next year.

Almost two-thirds of those surveyed (65 per cent) think it will get worse - contributing to Starmer's "net optimism" rating of -49 on the economy.

Ipsos surveyed 1,028 voters between November 27 and December 4.

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Now SNP slapped with foreign aid warning after splurging Scottish taxpayers' cash on Africa - 'Show some common sense!'

\u200bScottish First Minister John Swinney

John Swinney's SNP has been told to 'show some common sense'

PA

The SNP has been told to "show some common sense" after pledging hundreds of thousands of pounds in taxpayer cash to Sudan.

The devolved Government has pledged £375,000 to the war-torn state, which itself follows a £12.5million spend on education initiatives in Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia.

But with the UK's foreign affairs traditionally handled in Westminster, Scottish Tories have urged the country's ruling party to turn its attention closer to home.

"Whilst this is well-intentioned and a worthy cause, the public may question whether this is the best use of taxpayers' money,” Craig Hoy, the Scottish Conservatives' finance spokesman said.

"Given that foreign affairs are a reserved power and that significant sums are being channelled through that route, SNP ministers should instead prioritise Scotland’s public services which are bearing the brunt of years of SNP financial mismanagement.

"The SNP should show some common sense and fund our own services adequately before looking to spend money in matters reserved to Westminster."

SNP chief John Swinney said: "The situation in Sudan is harrowing, and this funding demonstrates Scotland's commitment to standing with those in dire need. We are helping charity partners to provide urgent assistance to address the devastating impact of conflict, famine, and displacement.

"As a responsible global citizen, Scotland stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sudan during this dark chapter in their country’s history. Our thoughts are with the millions struggling to survive and facing an uncertain future."

Labour approves £3.6bn takeover of Royal Mail's parent company by Czech billionaire

Labour has approved the £3.6bn takeover of Royal Mail by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group, the Business Secretary has confirmed.

"For too many years, progress on securing a stable future at Royal Mail has stalled, but from day one we have been committed to providing a secure future for thousands of workers and customers," Jonathan Reynolds said.

"I'd like to thank EP Group and Daniel Křetínský for their constructive approach to our discussions and their commitment to protecting this national icon. I look forward to working with them to fix the foundations and ensure Royal Mail continues to deliver for the communities and businesses who rely on it most," he added.

As part of the takeover, Britain will maintain a "golden share" in Royal Mail - with the Government holding onto power over major decisions about Royal Mail's ownership, headquarters location and tax residency.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

'Labour MUST change course!' Shadow Business Secretary joins Reeves pile-on after damning Treasury figures emerge

Andrew Griffith

'Thieves Reeves has got her sums wrong,' Andrew Griffith jabbed

PA

Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith has urged Labour to reconsider its "cruel" family farm tax raids in the wake of this morning's damning CBI Economics report.

Writing on social media, Griffith said: "Thieves Reeves has got her sums wrong on Business Property Relief: It will COST more than it raises.

"Which is no surprise to anyone to anyone who remembers the story of killing the golden goose.

"Family businesses are the lifeblood of their communities. Labour must change course."

Esther McVey takes swipe at Chancellor as inheritance tax raid revealed to cost £1BILLION more than it raises - 'Rachel from accounts has got her sums all wrong!' 

Tory MP Esther McVey has laid into Rachel Reeves after it emerged that her inheritance tax raid is set to cost the Treasury £1.26billion more than it raises.

The Chancellor's tax raid on family businesses and farms is expected to generate £1.38billion in extra inheritance tax revenue over five years, but the loss of economic activity will lead to a £2.6billion reduction in other tax income, according to an analysis by CBI Economics.

And the MP for Tatton has lashed out at Reeves in response.

Writing on social media, McVey said: "According to analysis by the CBI, Rachel from accounts has got her inheritance tax sums all wrong!"

"Labour economics," she jabbed.

READ THE FULL STORY ON THE CBI'S INHERITANCE TAX WARNING HERE

Dire warnings issued over Chinese spies in Britain as Reform UK considers naming 'H6' in Parliament

Top Tories have warned that there are "many, many more" alleged Chinese spies in Britain as details continue to emerge about the mysterious Prince Andrew-linked "H6".

Shadow Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said the allegations were merely the "tip of the iceberg" - and was "sure" that Chinese agents were "active right now in attempting to influence journalism, academics, politics, and the whole lot".

"I can understand why it's been about Prince Andrew, but it's not really about Prince Andrew. It's about the way the Chinese Communist Party is seeking to exert influence here in the United Kingdom," he told the BBC.

Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the same, telling the broadcaster: "We're dealing with the tip of the iceberg. The fact is there are many more like him (H6) in the UK. There are many more doing the job that he's been doing, and the fact he was leaving the UK tells you that he realised at some point he was going to get caught.

"The reality is that there are many, many more involved in exactly this kind of espionage that's taking place. The reality for us is very simple - China is a very clear threat."

It comes after Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice said he will invoke parliamentary privilege to identify the man currently known as "H6" as soon as today in a bid to uncover a "stitch-up and a cover-up" by the Establishment.

READ THE FULL STORY ON REFORM'S THREAT TO NAME H6 HERE

Backlash to Labour's £50m Syria splurge grows amid winter fears for pensioners

Reform MP Rupert Lowe speaking at Reform Party Conference in Birmingham last month

'Vulnerable and desperate British pensioners MUST come first. Priorities, David Lammy,' Rupert Lowe said

PA

Labour has been accused of having its priorities in the wrong place in the wake of its £50million-valued foreign aid spend on Syria.

Reform UK's Rupert Lowe warned that splashing the cash abroad while Labour was readying up to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment was "a poor decision" and a neglection of British pensioners.

He said: "A £50million package for Syria when millions of British pensioners have had their heating allowance stripped away is a poor decision.

"Vulnerable and desperate British pensioners MUST come first. Priorities, David Lammy."

The Great Yarmouth MP added: "All this money can be found for Syria, overseas climate aid, foreign farmers and whatever else.

"What about the freezing British pensioners who have paid into the system their entire lives? Reeves talks of difficult decisions - she's made her choice very clear."

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