Nigel Farage's ratings plummet to lowest level since the general election amid finances row - while Reform UK's popularity also sinks

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 08:39, 12 July 2026 | Updated: 08:55, 12 July 2026 Nigel Farage's approval rating has plummeted to its lowest level since the general election amid the row over the Reform UK leader's finances, a new poll has found. The Opinium survey showed Mr Farage's rating has fallen sharply to -27, with more than half of voters disapproving of the Reform leader and only a quarter approving. This was comfortably his lowest rating of this Parliament, and put him behind all other major party leaders apart from outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer (-45). Tory leader Kemi Badenoch's rating improved to -3, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey remained on -5, and Green leader Zack Polanski rose slightly to -16. Andy Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor who is set to replace Sir Keir as Labour leader and PM on 20 July, was at -8. There was further bad news for Mr Farage with the poll finding Reform's vote share has fallen to its lowest level since early January last year. His party were backed by 24 per cent of voters - down two percentage points since last week - which was Reform's weakest result in an Opinium poll in more than 18 months. Labour were backed by 19 per cent of voters, while the Conservatives were on 18 per cent support, with the Greens on 16 per cent, and Lib Dems on 12 per cent. Nigel Farage's approval rating has plummeted to its lowest level since the general election amid the row over the Reform UK leader's finances There was further bad news for Mr Farage with the Opinium poll finding Reform's vote share has fallen to its lowest level since early January last year Opinium's James Crouch said: 'For the first time this Parliament, Nigel Farage looks politically vulnerable' Mr Farage has dramatically triggered a by-election in the Clacton seat he won at the 2024 general election. It comes amid a parliamentary standards probe into a £5million gift he received from Thailand-based crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne. The Reform leader is also facing questions over support he is reported to have been provided by convicted criminal George Cottrell.  Mr Farage has vowed to fight a 'people versus the establishment' by-election, which will be held on 13 August, amid the intense scrutiny of his personal finances. But other parties have accused Mr Farage of staging a 'hissy fit' and boycotted the contest, which has left comedy candidate Count Binface as his most notable opponent. The Opinium poll found Mr Farage's weakest ratings are on being trustworthy (-32), looking like a prime minister in waiting (-26), and being trusted to take big decisions (-24). Opinium's James Crouch said: 'For the first time this Parliament, Nigel Farage looks politically vulnerable. 'Reform's vote share has fallen into the low 20s, his personal ratings have hit a new low, and the standards row appears to be taking a real toll. 'The question now is whether Labour or the Conservatives can capitalise.'