Boris Johnson’s popularity has fallen in recent weeks as Tory voters have become more pessimistic about the direction of the UK, according to a new poll.
Research by Ipsos Mori found that the prime minister’s personal ratings were at their lowest level since October, with just 27 per cent of those questioned saying they had a favourable opinion of him – down six points since June.
It came as leading figures warned that Brexit red tape was putting UK manufacturing at risk of serious disruption as vital parts for British goods such as cars and fridges could fall into legal limbo.
The government has failed to devise an acceptable replacement for the EU’s safety standards system, meaning components needed for use in the UK will not have a suitable “kitemark” to guarantee a product is safe, according to industry experts.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that British holidaymakers heading to Europe will have to pay about £6.20 for visa-style fees and security forms following the UK’s exit from the EU.
Dominic Raab calls for ‘accountability’ on anniversary of Beirut explosion
Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has spoken today to mark the first anniversary of the Beirut explosion, offering the people of Lebanon support and urging leaders in the country to “deliver accountability and reform”.
“We need to see a capable government in place immediately, and essential reforms being properly implemented,” Mr Raab said.
“The international community stands ready to assist if the Lebanese politicians follow this path.
“But if they fail, Lebanon’s friends must look at how we can tackle the corruption that has seen narrow vested interests placed above the needs of the people.”
You can find his speech in full below:
While Boris Johnson’s approval ratings have slumped in recent weeks, Ipsos Mori’s latest poll makes for better reading for other key political figures.
The research shows that, of those polled, chancellor Rishi Sunak is currently the most popular major politician in the UK followed by health secretary Sajid Javid.
Opinion: ‘Nicola Sturgeon now finds herself in Keir Starmer’s top pocket’
Is Sir Keir Starmer in a stronger position than some think against the SNP? That’s what our political commentator John Rentoul believes…
Although former Labour leader Ed Miliband was mocked for allegedly being “in the pocket” of the SNP’s Alex Salmond back in 2015, John writes:
“Because the SNP (and Plaid and the Greens) have absolutely ruled out ever propping up a Conservative government in Westminster, they would have to allow a minority Labour government to take office.
“There need be no deals or coalitions, but if a Starmer government presented legislation roughly in line with SNP policy, it would be hard for the SNP to vote it down.”
You can find his full piece for Independent Premium below:
Nicola Sturgeon’s comments on Boris Johnson’s trip to Scotland this week can be found in full below:
Our reporter, Adam Forrest, has more details below on Nicola Sturgeon’s response to being snubbed by Boris Johnson this week:
Boris Johnson has arrived at the first of his public engagements for his two-day visit to Scotland, the PA news agency has reported.
The prime minister is currently in a meeting with senior officers from Police Scotland to discuss policing at the Cop26 international environmental summit which is being held in Glasgow later this year.
Should we worry about lobbying in parliamentary groups?
In case you missed it earlier: The Commons standards committee is to investigate the system of All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) to see whether members have conflicts of interest. By Sean O’Grady:
Boris Johnson’s popularity falls as Tory voters more pessimistic, poll finds
The popularity of Boris Johnson and his government have tumbled in a new poll that suggests Conservative voters in particular are becoming more pessimistic about the direction of the country.
The prime minister’s personal ratings in the Ipsos Mori survey were at their lowest since October, reports Andrew Woodcock:
I don’t feel snubbed but PM’s refusal to meet is strange, says Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon says Boris Johnson’s refusal to meet her during his visit to Scotland is a “missed opportunity” but not a snub.
She said: “I don’t feel snubbed. I think most people will think it’s a bit odd, and a bit strange, that we’ve got a prime minister visiting Scotland who talks a lot, rightly, about the need – despite our political differences – for us to work together where we can on getting through Covid and into Covid recovery but doesn’t take the opportunity when in Scotland to come and talk to me directly about how we might co-operate and work together.
“I think people will just find that strange and it’s for Boris Johnson to explain, I suppose, why.
“This would be the first opportunity, given Covid, for us to sit down, appropriately socially distanced, and have a face-to-face chat. I think it would have been a good opportunity.
“There’s lots that Boris Johnson and I fundamentally disagree on but we both lead governments that are trying to get our countries through Covid and so there’s a lot for us to co-operate on.”
It was a missed opportunity, she added.
In a letter to Ms Sturgeon, the Prime Minister said: “As I noted when we last met, I am keen to arrange an in-person meeting with you and the other first ministers and deputy first minister to build on the constructive discussions we had earlier this summer.”
He said he was “particularly keen that we work closely together on the vaccination booster campaign this autumn”, adding: “I look forward to meeting with you soon and working together in the interests of people in all parts of our country.”
Diplomat who lost secret MoD documents removed from ‘sensitive’ work
A senior diplomat has been identified as the official responsible for losing secret Ministry of Defence papers.
An investigation into how the documents ended up at a Kent bus stop found no evidence of espionage but blamed an individual’s blunder.
The official has been widely reported as Angus Lapsley, who was on secondment to the MoD from the Foreign Office.
The papers included documents relating to the likely reaction of the Russians to the passage of Royal Navy destroyer HMS Defender through waters off the coast of Crimea and to the UK military presence in Afghanistan.
The Guardian reported that Mr Lapsley was being lined up to be appointed the UK’s ambassador to Nato at the time of the incident in June.
He was working as director-general of strategy and international, responsible for defence policy on Nato and the Euro-Atlantic area.
But following the loss of the papers he was removed from “sensitive work” and had his security clearance suspended pending a full review.
