Nigel Farage's popularity has hit a ten-year low, with a new YouGov survey showing just 22% of the public hold a favourable view of the Reform UK leader, while 68% are unfavourable—including 56% who are very unfavourable. The resulting 46% net negative rating is worse than the 45% recorded by Keir Starmer just before he resigned as Prime Minister, and also exceeds the 42% gap for Boris Johnson after the first 'Partygate' revelations.
Downward trajectory since August 2025
Farage's favourability has been declining since mid-August 2025, amid controversies over donations and support. Notably, a £5 million 'gift' he received before the 2024 election has been under investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, who questioned whether it should have been declared. The inquiry was paused when Farage dramatically resigned his Clacton seat earlier this month.
Clacton by-election backfires
Farage announced he would rerun in the ensuing by-election, framing it as a 'people versus the establishment' battle. However, every major party declined to participate, calling it a 'stunt' and a 'vanity project', leaving novelty candidate Count Binface as his main opponent. A record 34 candidates are standing, mostly comedy characters and independents. Asked if Farage's falling favourability alarms Reform UK, a party spokesperson simply said: 'No.'
Andy Burnham starts with net positive rating
In contrast, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has become the first PM since Theresa May to start with a net positive rating, according to YouGov. Some 38% view him positively, 35% negatively, and over a quarter are undecided. The only other political figure with a net positive rating is Chancellor John Healey. Attention has shifted from Clacton to Burnham's first days in No 10.
