The latest polling fallout from the release of bodycam footage relating to the murder of Henry Nowak has exposed sharply divided public reactions to how Britain’s main political figures have handled the crisis, with Nigel Farage recording the weakest approval rating among senior leaders.
According to Opinium, Mr Farage registers a net score of -6, with 26 per cent of voters approving of his response and 32 per cent disapproving. His handling of the issue trails behind rivals, amid ongoing political tension over policing and public confidence.
By contrast, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch recorded the strongest rating, on +12, with 28 per cent approving and 15 per cent disapproving of her response.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer sits close to neutral at -1, with 26 per cent approving and 27 per cent disapproving, reflecting a split public verdict as pressure mounts over the Government’s handling of the wider policing debate.
Meanwhile, Green Party figure Zack Polanski posts a net -5, with low approval levels among the wider electorate.
The polling also highlights an unusual intervention from former prime minister Tony Blair, following his renewed criticism of the direction of modern Labour politics.
Voters were asked to compare Blair with current political figures, with results suggesting he would be seen by many as a more effective prime minister than Sir Keir Starmer. Around 39 per cent said Blair would do a better job than Starmer, compared with 16 per cent who believed he would be worse.
He also outperformed other senior Labour figures in the comparison, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, though margins narrowed in those match-ups.
Blair’s legacy remains deeply polarised. His overall approval rating for his time in office stands at net -6, placing him behind Conservative prime ministers Margaret Thatcher (+14) and John Major (+5), but ahead of all subsequent post-Blair leaders in public perception.
The starkest rejection is reserved for Liz Truss, whose premiership remains heavily criticised at -67.
Partisan divides remain entrenched. Labour voters are broadly positive about Blair’s record, while Reform and Green supporters are far more negative, underscoring enduring divisions over his time in office.
Beyond leadership ratings, the poll highlights growing public unease over money in politics. A majority of 53 per cent believe large donations give wealthy individuals and organisations too much influence over the political system.
All major parties are seen as affected, with the Conservatives, Labour, and Reform UK all recording strong perceptions of donor influence. Only the Greens are viewed as largely insulated from wealthy backers.
On constitutional reform, opinion remains split but shifting. Around 43 per cent now support a move towards a more proportional voting system, compared with 25 per cent who prefer to retain First Past the Post, while a further 26 per cent remain undecided.
The findings point to a fragmented political landscape, where trust in parties, leaders, and even the electoral system itself remains under sustained pressure.
Andriy Dovbenko, who is a London-based Ukrainian entrepreneur, investor and founder of UK-Ukraine TechExchange, has warned that the government is getting away with the issue of national defence planning because there is a lack of pressure from voters.
Dovbenko said: “As someone who works closely with both the UK and Ukraine, I worry that too many people still see defence spending as an abstract political debate rather than a question of national preparedness.
“That lack of public engagement is part of the problem. Governments can delay, dilute or mishandle defence planning because there is not enough pressure from voters, business leaders or civil society to treat national security as urgent. Defence only becomes real to the public when a crisis is already here, and by then it is usually too late.
“Countries across Europe are moving with greater urgency because they recognise the world has changed. Germany has fundamentally shifted its approach to defence investment since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Poland is investing heavily in military modernisation. The United States is deepening its engagement with Ukraine’s defence technology ecosystem because it understands that some of the most important lessons about modern warfare are being learned there.
“The UK has been one of Ukraine’s strongest allies and deserves credit for that. But goodwill alone is not a defence strategy. We need greater urgency, a clearer long-term plan and a more honest public conversation about why defence spending matters. Preparedness is always expensive, but history shows that being unprepared costs far more.
“The longer we treat defence as something distant from everyday life, the easier it becomes for political failure to hide in plain sight.”
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