Andy Burnham has opened up a 14 per cent lead over Nigel Farage as Britain's preferred choice for Prime Minister, bombshell polling has revealed.
A new survey, conducted by polling firm Ipsos, found 30 per cent of Britons selected the Makerfield MP as their preferred choice for the top job.
The proportion supporting the Reform UK leader fell to just 16 per cent, putting Mr Farage just three per cent ahead of Kemi Badenoch.
Shifting support towards Mr Burnham was unable to eradicate Reform UK's poll lead over Labour, albeit the once-double-digit margin has now been reduced to just two per cent.
Despite seemingly transforming Labour's electoral fortunes, the British public's expectations about Mr Burnham still remain in the red.
More than 1,000 adults were asked between one 25 and 30 who they would vote for if there was a general election.
While 29 per cent believe the ex-Greater Manchester Mayor is ready to become Prime Minister, the figure who do not stands at 39 per cent.
Commenting on the findings, Keiran Pedley, Director of Politics at Ipsos in the UK said: “Labour will be more optimistic about the future than they were a month ago.
"However, the jury is out with the public on whether Burnham himself is ready to be Prime Minister and whether a Burnham Government will deliver in office.
"Which suggests he will have to start well to convince a sceptical public his government can succeed where others are perceived to have failed."
Mr Burnham is set to plough ahead with Labour’s deeply unpopular giveaway of the Chagos Islands, it was revealed today.
Sir Keir Starmer’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell is said to have been a heavy influence on the likely incoming PM’s decision.
Mr Powell is likely to remain in situ once the leadership transition takes place - but his long-term future is unclear.
The Makerfield MP risks President Donald Trump’s wrath by pushing ahead with the giveaway given his vocal opposition.
Mr Trump has already commented on Mr Burnham’s likely rise to No10, describing him as “extremely liberal”.
He also fears Mr Bunrham “probably won’t open up” the North Sea for further oil and gas drilling, a move he has long advocated for.
