By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2026-09-30 06:15:11 | Updated at 2026-09-30 07:58:57
1 hour ago
Sir John Curtice has delivered his verdict on Labour's poll bounce under Andy Burnham and issued the Prime Minister a warning about writing off Nigel Farage.
The polling guru, who was speaking at a Demos fringe event at Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, pointed out Mr Burnham received a five-point after replacing Sir Keir Starmer in No10.
However, Sir John suggested the bounce is not particularly unusual in British politics.
"That five-point bounce is not that unusual for new Prime Ministers who enter No10 in the middle of a parliament.
"Gordon Brown had around four points, Boris Johnson had about six points.
"The only Prime Minister not to enjoy a bounce was Liz Truss."
Sir John also warned that Mr Burnham's strong personal ratings had done little to improve voters' views of Labour's handling of the economy.
While 46 per cent of voters hold a favourable view of Mr Burnham, 70 per cent of Britons believe Labour is handling the economy badly.
Sir John also warned that Mr Burnham's strong personal ratings had done little to improve voters' views of Labour's handling of the economy
PA
Despite the so-called "Burnham bounce" bringing enthusiasm to Liverpool, Sir John also cautioned the Prime Minister against calling a snap election.
The polling guru argued that recent MRP polls had only put Labour on 250 seats, way down from the 411 won by Sir Keir at the 2024 General Election.
"This is not an attractive prospect, and this party needs to make much more progress," he added.
Meanwhile, Mr Farage's difficult few weeks have risked complacency within Labour Party ranks.
"While support could go down, it could also go back up again," Sir John said.
He also claimed Reform UK's distinct and loyal voter base means the party is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
However, Labour MP Chris Curtis branded Reform UK, the Tories and the Greens as "bloody useless".
Mr Curtis, who worked as a pollster at YouGov before entering the House of Commons, claimed voters were starting to see Mr Farage as "a bit of a crook".
GB NEWS
Meanwhile, the 32-year-old mocked Green leader Zack Polanski over his past claims about hypnosis.
He went on to accuse Kemi Badenoch of doing "absolutely none of the work" needed to rebuild the Conservatives after their 2024 defeat.
Mr Curtis was given a pre-conference boost after a series of MRP polls showed him leading in Milton Keynes North.
Despite winning by 5,430 votes in 2024, several MRP polls had forecast the commuter belt seat falling into either Reform UK or Tory hands.
Nigel Farage isn't going away, Sir John Curtice said
PA
More in Common now has Labour leading the Tories by seven per cent, albeit with just 33 per cent support.
YouGov puts Labour at 30 per cent, narrowly ahead of the Conservatives on 25 per cent.
Survation gave Labour its largest lead over the Tories, with 11.5 per cent putting Mr Curtis on 36.3 per cent in its bombshell poll.
Mr Curtis received 42 per cent of the vote in 2024.
