Labour Gains Ground in Latest Opinium Poll
During the week of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement, Opinium rolled up its sleeves and discovered a surprising shift in the political tide. Labour, like a well‑graded sponge, soaked up two extra percentage points of support, bringing its share to 42 %.
Party Standings
- Labour – up 2 pts, 42 %
- Conservatives – down –1 pt, 26 %
- All other parties are within a single point of the last poll.
Who Would Be the Best Prime Minister?
Keir Starmer still leads the pack by six points: 29 % say he’d be the best PM, while Rishi Sunak trails at 23 %.
Leadership Approval Snapshots
- Keir Starmer – net approval: -7 % (up 3). 31 % approve, 38 % disapprove.
- Rishi Sunak – net approval: -26 % (up 5). 26 % approve, 52 % disapprove.
In short, Labour’s claws have tightened; the Conservatives are slipping a smidge – only a one‑point dip. The public’s taste even swings favorably for Starmer’s PM prospects, marking a key small victory in the political kitchen.
Perceptions around the Autumn Statement measures and National Insurance tax cuts
Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement: A Positive Turn of the Tide
Last year’s mini‑budget was widely regarded as a recipe for chaos, but Hunt’s latest Autumn Statement has managed to turn heads in the right direction. People are actually smiling a little more about it now.
Quick Stats to Paint the Picture
- 23% of respondents felt the Autumn Statement was good, nearly double the 12% who thought the mini‑budget had been a win.
- 27% found the recent statement bad, a far cry from the 61% that marked last year’s mini‑budget in the negative.
Why the Shift?
Hunt’s approach seems to have hit a sweet spot. Instead of betting big on tax cuts that risked widening the fiscal gap, the Autumn Statement leaned toward measured growth strategies and clearer fiscal planning.
Feeling the Horizon
Even if the numbers aren’t perfect, the public’s mood has noticeably warmed. A higher percentage pointing toward positivity means policy changes are starting to feel more realistic and less “economic hot‑chocolate” mishaps.
All in all, Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement is giving the economy a boost of confidence—quite the improvement from last year’s mini‑budget fiasco.
The Public’s Mixed Feelings on the Autumn Statement
After the latest announcements, the word on the street is that opinions are still split in two. Roughly half the people surveyed didn’t know whether they felt the news was a win or a loss.
Pension and Wage Surges
- State pension hike – 71% of respondents applauded this move.
- National living wage rise – 78% waved the flag in approval.
National Insurance Cuts
Even the tax‑cuts brought some cheers.
- Employees enjoy a 2% cut – 63% were for it.
- The 1% drop for self‑employed also nudged popularity – 59% in favour.
But the debate over overall insurance levels stays hot.
- 37% think the rates are too high.
- 35% feel the balance is just right.
Tax‑Tone Concerns
- Fuel duty – 61% say we’re paying too much.
- Council tax – 59% agree it’s pricey.
- VAT – 51% voice the same complaint.
- Inheritance tax – 40% think it’s over the top.
- 18% believe it’s fair.
- 14% think it’s too low.
Chancellor Opinions and Economic Fears
- Approval of the Chancellor’s work – 25% are on board.
- Disapproval – 40% are not happy (net approval drops to -15).
- Economic worries are still high, though a tad below last year’s episode:
- Inflation and cost of living – 83% concerned.
- General state of the economy – 76% uneasy.
- Recession fears – 67% worried.
Political Pulse
According to Adam Drummond, Head of Policy & Social Research at Opinium, “Expecting a single fiscal event to turn the ratings game for a 13‑year‑old government might be wishful, but if this week’s autumn statement keeps things calm, it could be a quiet success.”
The Conservatives lag behind Labour in managing the economy, and only 20% of voters would support tax cuts that entail slashing public service spending. That means any promises of future cuts won’t resonate far beyond the Tory crowd.
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