Reversal in Theresa May’s poll ratings

Theresa May’s rating has plunged to the worst on record for a Prime Minister in the weeks after an election, according to pollsters.

Labour is also one point ahead in the polls on 42% compared to 41% for the Conservatives, Ipsos Mori found.

After riding on a historic high at the start of the general election campaign, the Prime Minister has hit an unprecedented low.

But while opponent Jeremy Corbyn’s rating continues to improve, Mrs May is still regarded as the most capable premier.

The study found 34% of voters said they were satisfied with the Prime Minister’s performance, down nine points from last month and 22 points from April, when she called the election.

Some 59% are dissatisfied with Mrs May, leaving her overall rating on minus 25, the worst score Ipsos Mori has recorded for a Prime Minister in the month after a general election.

Mr Corbyn’s ratings were up five points from June with 44% satisfied while 45% were dissatisfied leaving the Labour leader with a net satisfaction score of minus one.

Asked who was more capable of being Prime Minister, 46% of voters went for Mrs May compared to 38% for Mr Corbyn.

Last week Prime Minister Theresa May revealed she shed a tear when the results of the general election exit poll suggesting her party was on course to lose its majority were revealed.

The Kleenex may well have been pressed into use again yesterday as the latest politician popularity ratings were revealed.

They suggest Ms May’s stats have plummeted to the worst on record for a Prime Minister in the weeks after an election. With her overall rating sitting at a less than impressive minus 25, Ipsos Mori also claim Labour – led, lest we forget, by Jeremy Corbyn, a man repeatedly described as “unelectable” – are now ahead in the polls.

It has been a remarkably inauspicious start for Ms May’s premiership. The reasons for her plunging approval ratings are perhaps not surprising – and are not all of her own making.

Certainly, she inherited an unenviable situation from predecessor David Cameron. Having called an EU referendum he clearly thought would result in a vote to remain, both Mr Cameron and the wider Tory party had absolutely no plan in place to deal with the subsequent leave result.

Ms May’s handing of the situation has left a little to be desired, with the calling of a snap general election the obvious low point. Turning things around will be far from easy, but surely the only way is up. Surely.