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Brits now see Labour leader Keir Starmer as more competent than PM Boris Johnson

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1064755202, 1170487933 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the leader of the opposition and Labour Leader Keir Starmer.  ***LEFT IMAGE*** BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - NOVEMBER 24: Conservative party MP Boris Johnson delivers his speech during the Democratic Unionist Party annual conference at the Crown Plaza Hotel on November 24, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The DUP strongly oppose the propsed Brexit deal brokered between the UK government and the EU. The DUP currently props up the Conservative UK government following the last general election. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Keir Starmer, Shadow Secretary of State addresses delegates on the third day of the Labour Party conference on September 23, 2019 in Brighton, England. Labour Conference will debate and vote on their Brexit position this afternoon pitting Jeremy Corbyn's neutral stance against the party membership's wish to Remain in the UK. Labour Conference returns to Brighton this year against a backdrop of Brexit Chaos. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Keir Starmer is now seen as more competent than Boris Johnson (Picture: Getty)

Britons think Keir Starmer is more competent than Boris Johnson, according to a new YouGov poll.

The Labour labour fared better than the prime minister when it came to competency in data taken from 13-15 June.

At 41%, Johnson is down 14% since April while Sir Keir is currently on 45%, up 14% in the same period.

Only 11% of people saw the opposition leader as incompetent (as many are still yet to form a view) but a considerable 47% believed the PM was.

Despite Johnson’s perceived incompetence, 41% of Britons think a Conservative government led by him would be better at managing the economy, compared to just 21% who would prefer Sir Keir.

That is good news for the Tory leader because the country now sees the economy as the most important issue (61%) following the coronavirus lockdown.

The respondents selected the economy ahead of healthcare (60%) and Brexit (45%).

Johnson again clashed with Sir Keir at prime minister’s questions (PMQs) on Wednesday.

The two argued over child poverty after the government performed a U-turn and offered free school meals following a campaign from Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford.

 Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson (left) and Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer during filming for the BBC One current affairs programme The Andrew Marr Show at New Broadcasting House in London.  (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)
The two major party leaders often lock horns during PMQs (Picture: Getty)

Sir Keir welcomed the change of heart but said more needed to be done to combat rising levels of child deprivation.

Johnson later criticised Sir Keir over the return of children to schools, suggesting the opposition and trade unions were hampering efforts to reopen.

The PM said one of the best ways to help the poorest children in the country “would be to encourage all kids who can go back to school to go back to school now, because their schools are safe”.

He repeatedly challenged Sir Keir to say it was safe for children to return and accused the opposition of “wibble-wobble” over the issue.