Labour should dump Jeremy Corbyn before election, say 42% of voters

Divided opinion: Jeremy Corbyn is more popular with young voters than old
Jeremy Selwyn
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More people think Labour should dump Jeremy Corbyn as leader than think they should keep him, an exclusive poll reveals today.

Some 42 per cent told Ipsos MORI that the party should change leader before the 2020 general election — including 30 per cent who “strongly” felt Mr Corbyn should be tossed overboard.

Only 31 per cent felt he should stay to fight the 2020 election, including 19 per cent who felt it strongly.

When the same question was asked a year ago, 49 per cent said Labour should replace Ed Miliband, then the leader of four years’ standing, and 30 per cent said he should stay. Mr Miliband went on to lead the party to its worst defeat for a generation.

Today’s survey found the big parties had similar levels of support as at the general election in May.

The Conservatives are on 36 per cent, four points ahead of Labour’s 32. Ukip are third on 12 with the Liberal Democrats at 10 and the Greens on three. Ukip leader Nigel Farage is the only major party leader to have a positive net rating for his performance at present. Some 45 per cent are satisfied with him, and 37 per cent dissatisfied.Some 37 per cent said the Labour leader was doing a good job, while 42 per cent said the same for Mr Cameron. But Mr Corbyn appears to arouse less hostility than his Conservative rival. Some 51 per cent said they were dissatisfied with Mr Cameron while only 39 per cent said the same of his rival.

Older voters are particularly dissatisfied with Mr Corbyn. While 57 per cent of 18-34s think he is doing well, only 22 per cent of over-55s say the same.

Gideon Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos MORI, said: “Jeremy Corbyn continues to divide opinion, with relatively high levels of both supporters and critics early in his reign.

“Old and young people have almost exactly opposing views of him — the Conservatives did well among older voters in the last election, so winning them over will be key.”

Lib-Dem leader Tim Farron has yet to make an impression, with half saying they did not know how to rate him.

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