THE OBSERVER: Theresa May's ratings slump in wake of general election – poll

Press/Media: Expert comment

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Robert Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester said: “This new poll suggests that the remarkable swing in political fortunes which began in the general election campaign has continued in the weeks after the vote. Theresa May’s personal ratings have collapsed further, while Jeremy Corbyn’s have surged.

“There have been a few occasions when the public have turned rapidly against a prime minister, for example Gordon Brown’s collapse in support in the autumn of 2007, when Vince Cable noted his “remarkable transformation ... from Stalin to Mr Bean.

Ford said that plunging numbers for a PM while an opposition leader surged in popularity was a rare occurrence.

“While this will further increase the pressures on Theresa May, many Conservatives will be eager to avoid another election now they are trailing Labour in the polls.

“Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn’s position in the party, in serious doubt just a few weeks ago, now looks unassailable. He is recording net positive personal ratings on a regular basis for the first time in his leadership, and Labour’s poll share of 45% is among the best the party has seen since the height of Tony Blair’s popularity.”

Period2 Jul 2017

Media contributions

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Media contributions

  • TitleTheresa May's ratings slump in wake of general election – poll
    Media name/outletThe Observer
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date2/07/17
    DescriptionRobert Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester said: “This new poll suggests that the remarkable swing in political fortunes which began in the general election campaign has continued in the weeks after the vote. Theresa May’s personal ratings have collapsed further, while Jeremy Corbyn’s have surged.

    “There have been a few occasions when the public have turned rapidly against a prime minister, for example Gordon Brown’s collapse in support in the autumn of 2007, when Vince Cable noted his “remarkable transformation ... from Stalin to Mr Bean.

    Ford said that plunging numbers for a PM while an opposition leader surged in popularity was a rare occurrence.

    “While this will further increase the pressures on Theresa May, many Conservatives will be eager to avoid another election now they are trailing Labour in the polls.

    “Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn’s position in the party, in serious doubt just a few weeks ago, now looks unassailable. He is recording net positive personal ratings on a regular basis for the first time in his leadership, and Labour’s poll share of 45% is among the best the party has seen since the height of Tony Blair’s popularity.”
    URLhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jul/01/over-60-of-voters-view-theresa-may-as-pm-negatively-poll
    PersonsRobert Ford

Keywords

  • UK politics
  • Theresa May
  • Jeremy Corbyn