For the first time since GE2017 Corbyn has slipped behind TMay in the leader ratings – can he recover?
How YouGov’s party leader favourability tracker has changed since TMay called GE2017
The chart shows the trend in TMay’s net favourability lead over Corbyn since she called the election jut over a year ago. The figures are calculated by taking the PM’s net rating and subtracting Mr. Corbyn’s net figure.
As can be seen this really tells the story of British politics over the past year – from a position where Mrs. May was totally dominant to the turnaround at the general election on June 8th and now the small recovery for the Prime Minister.
The reason why this is important is, as I have argued strongly, that leader ratings are historically a better guide to electoral outcomes than standard voting intention polls.
There are several types of leader ratings. Whether the name person is doing well or badly: Ipsos MORI asks how people are satisfied with the individuals; and Opinium has led the way with approval ratings. The new DeltaPoll goes with well/badly
My favourite is favuorability which YouGov run alongside their well/badly ratings.
We also have “Best PM” ratings which I believe are less important because there is a huge incumbency advantage to the PM.
After spending almost all the period since the general election with a net lead over Mrs. May the PM is now ahead. The big question for Labour is whether their man can recover.