Election latest: Sunak hits record low in new poll – and picture in Labour manifesto will rub salt in his wounds

At the halfway point of the general election campaign, the bad news for the man who triggered it just keeps on coming.

Polling from YouGov reveals 72% of Britons have an unfavourable view of Rishi Sunak – the highest level of disapproval recorded by the pollster since he became PM.

After a slight boost in his approval rating after calling the election, just 21% of Britons have a favourable view of Mr Sunak, giving him a net approval rating of -51.

Voters are also not happy with the Conservative Party overall – 70% have a negative view, compared to just 21% with a positive view.

Starmer on the up – but most still don’t like him

Meanwhile, the number of Britons with a positive view of the Labour leader has hit the highest level since late 2022, with 39% feeling favourably towards Sir Keir Starmer.

That said, 51% of people still have an unfavourable view, meaning his net score sits in the negative still, at -12.

The Labour Party overall very much divides opinion, with 44% having a positive view, and 47% holding a negative one.

How are the smaller parties faring?

The popularity of the Lib Dems has increased slightly since the election was called, now at 37% (up 4% since mid-May), with 47% having a negative view (no change).

It is the best score for the Lib Dems this parliament.

The Greens are also doing better – and are the only party of whom there is a net positive view: 41% have a favourable opinion towards them and 40% an unfavourable one.

And Reform has also seen its favourability increase – albeit from a very low base.

In mid-May, 20% of Britons had a favourable view of the party, and that figure has risen to 27%.

But a majority – 56% – have a negative view of the party, which has increased from 48% before the election.