Labour party image falls since 2017 – seen as more divided, more extreme and less fit to govern

Boris Johnson is still seen as the leader who would make the most capable Prime Minister according to the latest Ipsos MORI Political Monitor. Half (49%) say Boris Johnson would make the most capable Prime Minster compared with three in ten (30%) who say Jeremy Corbyn – little change from September.

The new poll also asks the public about the image of both the Conservative and Labour parties:

• Both the Conservatives and Labour are comparable on a number of attributes. Similar numbers say they both keep their promises (25% vs 26% respectively), understand the problems facing Britain (46% vs 47%), will promise anything to win votes (70% vs 68%), look after the interests of people like them (36% vs 39%) and are different to the other parties (55% vs 59%).
• More say the Conservatives have a good team of leaders (37% vs 22% for Labour) and are fit to govern (46% vs. 29%).  More also believe Labour are divided (75% vs. 62% for the Conservatives), extreme (50% vs. 33%) and out of date (51% vs 44%).
• Labour though has its strongest lead over the Conservatives as being concerned about people in real need in Britain (59% vs 34%).
• Labour’s image has worsened on a number of aspects since 2017, including understanding Britain’s problems (-7 points), having a good team of leaders (-9), being fit to govern (-9), and being more divided and extreme (both +13).
• The Conservatives have seen less change over that period, though some improvements such as on having a good team of leaders (+10), understanding Britain’s problems (+6), being concerned about people in real need (+6), and being less divided (-11), though slightly more criticism on promising anything to win votes (+7) and being extreme (+5).
• Similar numbers also see the Liberal Democrats as understanding the problems facing Britain (45%), looking after the interests of people like them (36%) and being different to other parties (56%).