Sir Keir Starmer pulls ahead in leadership race after charming Donald Trump with royal invite

Keir Starmer leads the pack

Sir Keir Starmer has taken the lead as Britain's preferred leader, surpassing his rivals after winning over Donald Trump with a royal invitation, according to a recent poll by JL Partners. The latest survey shows Sir Keir 11 points ahead of Tory leader Kemi Badenoch in a head-to-head contest, and his lead over Nigel Farage has widened to 10 points, double what it was in January.

Labour maintains slim advantage

Labour also holds a slight lead in voting intention, with the party at 26 per cent, Conservatives at 24 per cent, and Reform UK close behind at 23 per cent. Sir Keir's personal approval rating has seen a significant jump of seven points, improving from -25 in January to -18 currently.

Reeves faces challenges

However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has faced a decline in favourability, with her rating dropping 14 points since November. Even among Labour's 2024 voters, she remains in negative territory.

Starmer's diplomatic success

According to JL Partners' James Johnson, Sir Keir's recent diplomatic tour and discussions with Donald Trump in Washington have earned him a "Ukraine bounce" in the eyes of voters. The PM's use of flattery, deference, and a royal invitation during his meeting with the US President has been well-received.

Farage unaffected by Reform's turmoil

Despite Reform UK's internal conflicts sparked by Rupert Lowe's suspension, Nigel Farage's approval rating remains steady at -9. Johnson noted that while Sir Keir's Washington visit has made an impact, the Reform party's internal issues seem to have had little effect on Farage's standing.