Voters' views on Nigel Farage are mixed (Image: Getty)
Nigel Farage has been named as the favourite choice to replace Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister, according to new polling. But there was also bad news for the Reform leader because most voters still said he was not serious about wanting to run the country – even though he has insisted he wants to win a general election and be the next PM.
A new poll by Lord Ashcroft found 19% of voters think Nigel Farage would make the best prime minister, with just 8% saying Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. The numbers for both politicians are lower than the 35% who said Sir Keir Starmer made the best prime minister, but it meant Mr Farage was the most popular choice after the incumbent. Even 5% of those who voted Labour in the 2024 General Election said Mr Farage was the best choice to be prime minister right now.
Protein Isn't Enough - Here's What Really Builds Muscle After 60Apex Labs| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
The UK town where almost everyone votes Labour but even here people have had enough
82 Comments
I was at PMQs - here's my translation of what (I think) waffling Keir Starmer meant to say
98 Comments
Reform's new by-election candidate wastes no time with savage 3-word swipe at Keir Starmer
379 Comments
Nigel Farage blasts Kemi Badenoch's 'comical' local election promise
99 Comments
Why Keir Starmer will be sweating over by-election showdown with Reform
116 Comments
Reform UK warning - five reasons Nigel Farage's party is now facing high danger
256 Comments
Sky's Trevor Philips delivers four-word swipe at Kemi Badenoch as he suggests next leader
49 Comments
Richard Tice claims Reform UK would not exist without him as party's row deepens
81 Comments
Keir Starmer ‘looking for way out' of Rachel Reeves' farm tax as it could be 'tweaked'
36 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts how many seats Reform will win in local elections ahead of rally
357 Comments
‘We'll get her out' Plotters share plans to oust Kemi Badenoch after local elections
632 Comments
'Fooling no one!' Nigel Farage erupts at Kemi Badenoch over net zero speech
98 Comments
New poll reveals Labour is the ‘anti-fun' party that loves to ban things people enjoy
63 Comments
Bombshell poll shows Reform with highest ever level of support in Scotland
85 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom| Sponsored Sponsored
Try Now
Undo
GB News interrupted for breaking news announcement in blow to Keir Starmer
83 Comments
Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves dealt huge new poll blow
35 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom| Sponsored Sponsored
Try Now
Undo
Kemi Badenoch warns Tories face 'extremely difficult' local elections
83 Comments
Nigel Farage set to make huge election announcement at 1pm
90 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom| Sponsored Sponsored
Try Now
Undo
Nigel Farage could be pulling No10's strings already without even being in power yet
57 Comments
New polling breakthrough for Reform UK ahead of elections
708 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom| Sponsored Sponsored
Try Now
Undo
The UK town where almost everyone votes Labour but even here people have had enough
82 Comments
I was at PMQs - here's my translation of what (I think) waffling Keir Starmer meant to say
98 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom| Sponsored Sponsored
Try Now
Undo
Reform's new by-election candidate wastes no time with savage 3-word swipe at Keir Starmer
379 Comments
Nigel Farage blasts Kemi Badenoch's 'comical' local election promise
99 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom| Sponsored Sponsored
Try Now
Undo
Why Keir Starmer will be sweating over by-election showdown with Reform
116 Comments
Reform UK warning - five reasons Nigel Farage's party is now facing high danger
256 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom| Sponsored Sponsored
Try Now
Undo
Sky's Trevor Philips delivers four-word swipe at Kemi Badenoch as he suggests next leader
49 Comments
Richard Tice claims Reform UK would not exist without him as party's row deepens
81 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom| Sponsored Sponsored
Try Now
Undo
Keir Starmer ‘looking for way out' of Rachel Reeves' farm tax as it could be 'tweaked'
36 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts how many seats Reform will win in local elections ahead of rally
357 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom| Sponsored Sponsored
Try Now
Undo
‘We'll get her out' Plotters share plans to oust Kemi Badenoch after local elections
632 Comments
'Fooling no one!' Nigel Farage erupts at Kemi Badenoch over net zero speech
98 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom| Sponsored Sponsored
Try Now
Undo
New poll reveals Labour is the ‘anti-fun' party that loves to ban things people enjoy
63 Comments
Bombshell poll shows Reform with highest ever level of support in Scotland
85 Comments
GB News interrupted for breaking news announcement in blow to Keir Starmer
83 Comments
Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves dealt huge new poll blow
35 Comments
Kemi Badenoch warns Tories face 'extremely difficult' local elections
83 Comments
Nigel Farage set to make huge election announcement at 1pm
90 Comments
Nigel Farage could be pulling No10's strings already without even being in power yet
57 Comments
New polling breakthrough for Reform UK ahead of elections
708 Comments
The UK town where almost everyone votes Labour but even here people have had enough
82 Comments
I was at PMQs - here's my translation of what (I think) waffling Keir Starmer meant to say
98 Comments
Reform's new by-election candidate wastes no time with savage 3-word swipe at Keir Starmer
379 Comments
Nigel Farage blasts Kemi Badenoch's 'comical' local election promise
99 Comments
Why Keir Starmer will be sweating over by-election showdown with Reform
116 Comments
Reform UK warning - five reasons Nigel Farage's party is now facing high danger
256 Comments
Sky's Trevor Philips delivers four-word swipe at Kemi Badenoch as he suggests next leader
49 Comments
Don't miss...
Rachel Reeves attempts to end Labour civil war with ￡2bn to build new homes [LATEST]
Fury as MPs get ￡2,558 pay rise as Rachel Reeves brings in brutal spending cuts [LATEST]
Keir Starmer urged to tackle next big pensions scandal as widows face crisis [LATEST]
Former Defence Secretary says UK must use landmines in Russia war [LATEST]
However, the poll also found just 22% of voters thought Mr Farage was “serious about getting into government and changing things”. It found 15% believed he was serious about representing the views of Reform voters and changing things as an opposition MP but did not really want power. In total, 47% agreed with the statement that “he just wants to get publicity and cause trouble, he doesn’t really want to bring about change.”
Sir Keir may welcome the poll result showing voters think he is the best person to be Prime Minister but the findings are not all good news for Labour. Asked what they know about the things this Labour Government has done so far, the most popular answer by far was means-testing winter fuel payments. The poll found 32% knew about this, followed by 10% saying they were aware of the increase in employer National Insurance contributions.
Reform hopes to win the parliamentary by-election of Runcorn and Helsby on May 1, which follows the resignation of former Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who was convicted of assault.
Sponsored
YETI| Sponsored Sponsored
Shop Now
The Easy Access Ranchero？ Backpack
Undo
Reform has announced its candidate is Sarah Pochin, who has served as a magistrate for two decades, as well as being a local mayor, and a mother. Mr Farage launched her campaign at Reform’s campaign headquarters in Runcorn.
Don't miss...
Keir Starmer weighs in on hit Netflix show Adolescence and says he's 'worried' [LATEST]
Rachel Reeves 'to axe universal free school meals for infants' [LATEST]
Nigel Farage says real reason for Heathrow closure 'is being withheld... [LATEST]
Keir Starmer to break promise as scandal of asylum seekers in hotels to continue [LATEST]
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
This seat is the 16th-safest Labour stronghold in the country but Reform says the latest polling shows it has a real chance of winning.
Amesbury, who was suspended by the Labour Party following his arrest, pleaded guilty to the offence.
He won his seat last year with a majority of 14,696 over Reform UK, with the Conservatives a close third.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
The UK town where almost everyone votes Labour but even here people have had enough
82 Comments
I was at PMQs - here's my translation of what (I think) waffling Keir Starmer meant to say
98 Comments
Reform's new by-election candidate wastes no time with savage 3-word swipe at Keir Starmer
379 Comments
Nigel Farage blasts Kemi Badenoch's 'comical' local election promise
99 Comments
Why Keir Starmer will be sweating over by-election showdown with Reform
116 Comments
Reform UK warning - five reasons Nigel Farage's party is now facing high danger
256 Comments
Sky's Trevor Philips delivers four-word swipe at Kemi Badenoch as he suggests next leader
49 Comments
Richard Tice claims Reform UK would not exist without him as party's row deepens
81 Comments
Keir Starmer ‘looking for way out' of Rachel Reeves' farm tax as it could be 'tweaked'
36 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts how many seats Reform will win in local elections ahead of rally
357 Comments
‘We'll get her out' Plotters share plans to oust Kemi Badenoch after local elections
632 Comments
'Fooling no one!' Nigel Farage erupts at Kemi Badenoch over net zero speech
98 Comments
New poll reveals Labour is the ‘anti-fun' party that loves to ban things people enjoy
63 Comments
Bombshell poll shows Reform with highest ever level of support in Scotland
85 Comments
Learn More: Atopic DermatitisGoodRx| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
GB News interrupted for breaking news announcement in blow to Keir Starmer
83 Comments
Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves dealt huge new poll blow
35 Comments
The New Ultramarine CollectionYETI| Sponsored Sponsored
Shop Now
Undo
Kemi Badenoch warns Tories face 'extremely difficult' local elections
83 Comments
Nigel Farage set to make huge election announcement at 1pm
90 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom| Sponsored Sponsored
Try Now
Undo
Nigel Farage could be pulling No10's strings already without even being in power yet
57 Comments
New polling breakthrough for Reform UK ahead of elections
708 Comments
Gynecologists Recommend This Anti-sa gging Bra for Elderly WomenDollylace| Sponsored Sponsored
Read More
Undo
The UK town where almost everyone votes Labour but even here people have had enough
82 Comments
I was at PMQs - here's my translation of what (I think) waffling Keir Starmer meant to say
98 Comments
The Easiest Way to Get Your Passport in 2025.GovPlus| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Reform's new by-election candidate wastes no time with savage 3-word swipe at Keir Starmer
379 Comments
Nigel Farage blasts Kemi Badenoch's 'comical' local election promise
99 Comments
Learn More: Atopic DermatitisGoodRx| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Why Keir Starmer will be sweating over by-election showdown with Reform
116 Comments
Reform UK warning - five reasons Nigel Farage's party is now facing high danger
256 Comments
Protein Isn't Enough - Here's What Really Builds Muscle After 60Apex Labs| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Sky's Trevor Philips delivers four-word swipe at Kemi Badenoch as he suggests next leader
49 Comments
Richard Tice claims Reform UK would not exist without him as party's row deepens
81 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom| Sponsored Sponsored
Try Now
Undo
Keir Starmer ‘looking for way out' of Rachel Reeves' farm tax as it could be 'tweaked'
36 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts how many seats Reform will win in local elections ahead of rally
357 Comments
Gynecologists Recommend This Anti-sa gging Bra for Elderly WomenDollylace| Sponsored Sponsored
Read More
Undo
‘We'll get her out' Plotters share plans to oust Kemi Badenoch after local elections
632 Comments
'Fooling no one!' Nigel Farage erupts at Kemi Badenoch over net zero speech
98 Comments
The New Ultramarine CollectionYETI| Sponsored Sponsored
Shop Now
Undo
New poll reveals Labour is the ‘anti-fun' party that loves to ban things people enjoy
63 Comments
Bombshell poll shows Reform with highest ever level of support in Scotland
85 Comments
GB News interrupted for breaking news announcement in blow to Keir Starmer
83 Comments
Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves dealt huge new poll blow
35 Comments
Kemi Badenoch warns Tories face 'extremely difficult' local elections
83 Comments
Nigel Farage set to make huge election announcement at 1pm
90 Comments
Nigel Farage could be pulling No10's strings already without even being in power yet
57 Comments
New polling breakthrough for Reform UK ahead of elections
708 Comments
The UK town where almost everyone votes Labour but even here people have had enough
82 Comments
I was at PMQs - here's my translation of what (I think) waffling Keir Starmer meant to say
98 Comments
Reform's new by-election candidate wastes no time with savage 3-word swipe at Keir Starmer
379 Comments
Nigel Farage blasts Kemi Badenoch's 'comical' local election promise
99 Comments
Why Keir Starmer will be sweating over by-election showdown with Reform
116 Comments
Reform UK warning - five reasons Nigel Farage's party is now facing high danger
256 Comments
Sky's Trevor Philips delivers four-word swipe at Kemi Badenoch as he suggests next leader
49 Comments
The Easiest Way to Get Your Passport in 2025.GovPlus
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Skip The Lines—Renew Your Passport Online.GovPlus
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
A New Color To CustomizeYETI
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Learn More: Atopic DermatitisGoodRx
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
The by-election is the first major test of public opinion following last summer’s General Election. It offers Reform UK a chance to prove whether its opinion polling lead can be converted into electoral success.
The Conservatives are campaigning in the May 1 local elections under the slogan "lower taxes, better services".
They say Labour has driven Birmingham City Council – the largest local authority in Europe – to the brink of bankruptcy, with rat-infested rubbish piling up in the streets. Tories say the message is “vote Labour, get trash”.