As Boris Johnson struggles to hold on during the Partygate scandal, his personal rating has fallen again.
According to the Ipsos-Mori latest survey, 61% of Britons saw the PM as unfavorable. This is up six points per week.
A mere 22 percent of respondents had a positive impression of Johnson. That gives him a net score minus 39. That’s comparable to Jeremy Corbyn during the period leading up to the 2019 election when Labour suffered an untold defeat.
Keir Starmer’s ratings have improved, however they remain in negative territory at minus 14
Worryingly for Mr Johnson the only senior figure in positive territory overall was Rishi Sunak – seen as his most likely successor.
A poll conducted last weekend also showed that 57% believe Johnson is a poor PM. This was six more points.
Boris Johnson’s score of minus39 in an Ipsos-Mori poll is similar to Jeremy Corbyn during the period leading up to the 2019 election. This was when Labour suffered an unprecedented defeat.
In the midst of an endless stream of “Partygate” allegations, Johnson is struggling to keep his cool.
Concerningly, Mr Johnson’s only senior figure overall in positive territory was Rishi Sunak. He is his most likely successor.
Gideon Skinner from Ipsos MORI is the Head of Political Research. He said that the PM’s net score was ‘comparable’ to Jeremy Corbyn during his low point in the previous campaign.
The ratings of the Conservative Party aren’t quite as bad, but they are on a steady but slow downward trend since last Spring. This should also be a concern for the government and its MPs.
“Among the other top politicians Rishi Sunak is now in his honeymoon phase but still gets the highest scores from the public as well as his own party’s voters. Keir Starmer sees improvement, but has some work to do to prove to the public that he’s a real Prime Minister-in-waiting.
Yesterday, JL Partners conducted a poll for Channel 4 News in 45 seats that had been won by Labour in 2019. The results showed the Tories trailed 11 points.
It would mark a dramatic turnaround from their previous nine-point lead in the election.
Another poll by YouGov showed Labour at 32 points in London ahead of Tories, increasing the possibility of MPs losing their seats.
Only 16 points separated the Conservatives in capital during the general election.
The Partygate row continued today, even though MPs backed off an attempt at ousting Mr Johnson. A senior Tory advised that the PM’s allies may be “blackmailing” rebels and encouraged them to contact the police.
William Wragg (chair of the Commons Public Administration Committee) stated that he was told about ‘pressures, intimidation, and threats’ used against politicians.
Wragg made a tiring attack during evidence session. He suggested that ministers might have violated the ministerial Code by threating to withdraw investment from constituencies, if anyone sends in letters of confidence.
Mr Wragg added that he received reports of individuals at No10 Downing Street and special advisors from government ministers as well as others encouraging publications of stories that would embarrass the people they believe lack confidence in PM.
“Intimidation of a MP is serious. Furthermore, the information I have would appear to indicate blackmail.
“As such, I would advise my colleagues to report the matter to the Speaker of House of Commons as well to the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police.
Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said Mr Wragg – who has been heavily critical of Mr Johnson and previously called for him to quit – had highlighted ‘grave and shocking accusations of bullying, blackmail, and misuse of public money’ that ‘must be investigated thoroughly’.
In the Commons Chamber, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle stated that although he wasn’t aware of all details, his “general observation” was that government officials were not above the criminal law and that trying to intimidate an MP would constitute contempt of Parliament.
One spokesperson from No. 10 stated that they did not have any evidence in support of the clear allegations.
“If any evidence supports these claims, then we’d look into it.
At Westminster, heavy tactics used by government whips have a reputation for being infamous. There were a few allegations in the current crisis. According to some, Mr Wakeford had been taken to the police station and warned that he would be subjected to a redrawing of the seat boundaries if he opposed the PM.
William Wragg (chair of the Commons Public Administration Committee) said that he was told about ‘pressures, intimidation,’ which were used against politicians