Keir in hot water: Starmer’s approval rating nosedives to lowest in his history as leader | UK | News (Reports)

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Deltapoll’s latest survey gave Mr Starmer a net approval rating of zero. Meanwhile Boris Johnson’s popularity skyrocketed to plus 10, putting the prime minister ahead of the opposition leader for the first time since last May.

The dire polling emerged as Mr Starmer continues to be engulfed in an internal row over his decision to oppose a corporation tax hike.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is widely expected to raise the current rate of 19 percent to as high as 25 percent in Wednesday’s budget.

Controversially, the Labour leader demanded last week that the Government rule out any tax rises on firms or families this year as the country recovers from the coronavirus crisis.

The stance was widely seen as an attempt to highlight his pro-business credentials.

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But many in his party, including several prominent shadow cabinet members, vehemently oppose his call.

Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds was initially against it before backtracking today saying “now is not the time for immediate tax rises’”.

However, there is a growing split in the party on the issue because some Labour MPs believe they should be supporting the increase, arguing it is a progressive tax.

Mr Johnson was as low as minus 10 last September in Deltapoll’s net approval ratings.

But he has broadly climbed upwards since then, hitting plus one in January and then plus 10 last month.

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The dire polling emerged as Mr Starmer continues to be engulfed in an internal row over his decision to oppose a corporation tax hike.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is widely expected to raise the current rate of 19 percent to as high as 25 percent in Wednesday’s budget.

Controversially, the Labour leader demanded last week that the Government rule out any tax rises on firms or families this year as the country recovers from the coronavirus crisis.

The stance was widely seen as an attempt to highlight his pro-business credentials.

READ MORE: Prince William wrote angry letter to protect ‘harassed’ Kate Middleton

“But should the Chancellor be focused on particularly imposing additional tax rises right now?

“Well, we don’t believe that he should be focused on that. He really should be focused on securing the recovery.

“Now is not the time for immediate tax rises – it is the time for a Chancellor focused on jobs and securing our recovery.”

Deltapoll surveyed 1,527 British adults from February 24 to 26.

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