Intro

New voting intention polling today puts Reform neck and neck with Labour. The YouGov/Times poll reveals that support for Starmer’s army has plummeted nine points, with just over a quarter of Brits backing the government – while Nigel Farage’s Reform party has seen its support soar by 10 points. Kemi Badenoch’s Tories have lost two points, while the canvassing of 2,279 adults – carried out between 12–13 January – shows the Lib Dems and the Greens both gained one. Perhaps the most damning news, however, is that only half of those who backed Labour in the 2024 election would vote for them next time. Where is Reform drawing these votes from? Is this polling worse for Labour, or the Tories?

Also, earlier today Tulip Siddiq resigned from her in the Treasury after allegations she lived in homes tied to her aunt’s ousted regime in Bangladesh. Was this inevitable? 

Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Scarlett Maguire, director at JL Partners.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.