Labour more popular with GB News viewers than Tories

Labour is more popular with viewers of GB News than the Tories, a new poll has revealed.

A survey of the TV channel’s audience shows that Rishi Sunak is battling on two fronts as the Tories lose support to Labour and Reform UK.

It also reveals a deep dissatisfaction with the Government’s record on key policy areas including immigration, the NHS and crime.

JL Partners, a polling firm, surveyed 518 current and recent viewers of the channel, which has a number of high-profile Conservative presenters.

The results show that, across both groups, Labour holds an 11-point cushion over the Tories, leading by 39 per cent to 28 per cent when “don’t knows” are excluded.

Reform UK, the Right-wing party led by Richard Tice – who is also a presenter on the channel – comes in third with 20 per cent of the viewership.

There was a substantial split in the survey between participants who said they currently watch GB News and those who had recently watched it. Labour had 45 per cent support among recent viewers, but that dropped to 32 per cent among current ones.

The Tories poll much better amongst the current GB News audience, only trailing Labour by two points, registering 30 per cent support. Reform UK also performs more strongly, being backed by 28 per cent of current viewers.

Despite the good news for Sir Keir Starmer, the poll contains a warning that many voters remain deeply sceptical about his plans to tackle illegal migration.

Even though almost three-quarters of GB News viewers said immigration is too high, the Tories are more trusted on this area than Labour.

Sir Keir does hold the lead over Mr Sunak when it comes to confidence in improving the NHS, which registers as GB News viewers’ top priority. Two-thirds of current and former viewers think more should be spent on health.

The Labour leader also narrowly wins with the audience on who would make the best prime minister overall, leading Mr Sunak by 39 per cent to 37 per cent.

The survey also reveals a widespread lack of faith in political leaders, with all those about whom the audience were asked registering negative ratings.

Nigel Farage, a GB News presenter, is the viewers’ most popular choice, with a 45 per cent positive rating, followed by Sir Keir on 44 per cent and Mr Sunak on 37 per cent.

The results show how the Labour leader’s attempts to court former Conservative voters are paying dividends as he eyes a big parliamentary majority.

This week Sir Keir burnished his patriotic credentials as he wrapped himself in the English flag to celebrate St George’s Day, with Mr Sunak much more muted in his marking of England’s national day.

The GB News poll suggests that its audience would prefer Sir Keir’s approach, with 71 per cent saying people should be proud of British history and the Union Jack.