There has been a big change in politics: Reform UK is now the top party in the North. They have beaten the Conservative Party, with 18 percent of people supporting Reform UK compared to 17 percent for the Conservatives.
This development marks the beginning of Reform’s encroachment into the so-called Red Wall, a trend observed in constituencies like Ashfield, represented by Lee Anderson, and Sedgefield, formerly held by Tony Blair, both claimed by the Conservatives in the 2019 general election.
However, recent polls indicate that the Tories may struggle to maintain their hold on these seats beyond a single term.
According to new polling conducted by YouGov for The Times, the Conservative Party, under the leadership of Rishi Sunak, has experienced a decline in popularity, dropping to under 20 percent in the polls for the first time since Liz Truss’s tenure as Prime Minister ended.
Merely 19 percent of voters intend to support the Prime Minister’s party in the upcoming election, despite a show of support from Tory MPs during a recent 1922 Committee meeting.
Reform UK has seen a rise in its national polling numbers, currently standing at 15 points. The party is leading ahead of the Tories in the North and trailing by only two points in the South, indicating a noteworthy shift in political allegiance within these regions.
A separate Ipsos poll reveals growing disapproval of the Conservative Party and Rishi Sunak, marking the highest levels of disapproval recorded during this parliamentary term.
The Tories are viewed unfavorably by 58 percent of respondents, surpassing previous peaks observed in October when 56 percent expressed unfavorable opinions.
Only 19 percent hold a favorable view of the Conservatives, resulting in a net favorability rating of minus 39, placing the party below all other major political entities, including Reform UK (minus 26).
The Prime Minister has experienced a surge in unfavorable perceptions, with 57 percent expressing disapproval, the highest level recorded during this parliamentary term.
This unfavorable sentiment towards Boris Johnson surpasses that directed at other prominent figures such as Nigel Farage (54 percent) and Lee Anderson (48 percent), the latter of whom recently switched allegiance from the Conservatives to Reform UK.
