Trade minister’s ratings with the public improve as her name recognition increases
According to fresh YouGov data released today, Penny Mordaunt has become both a more recognised and a more favoured politician among the general public over the last few days.
While on 10-11 July, Mordaunt’s net favourability rating was -15, her figures as our latest survey on 13-14 July stand at -7. Of the 12 politicians we asked about, Mordaunt’s has the joint-highest rating (alongside the also relatively unknown Tom Tugendhat).
At the same time, the proportion of the public telling us they “don’t know” how they feel about Mordaunt has dropped from 58% four days ago to 49% now. This indicates that an increasing number of the British public are becoming more familiar with the party membership’s favourite for the top job (and express an opinion about her). This shift has been entirely positive: 22% take a positive view of the trade minister, up from 14%, while the 29% who dislike her remains unchanged.
On the other hand, Rishi Sunak’s net favourability among the public has dropped slightly, from -27 over the weekend, to -31 now. However, the former chancellor’s much higher name recognition means that only 13% of the public don’t know how they feel about him.
Meanwhile, favourability ratings for Liz Truss have remained largely static, going from -29 net favourability three days ago to -31 now, and 30% say they don’t know. The foreign secretary does not appear to have benefitted from the exposure of the Conservative leadership race so far, with this "don't know" figure similar to previous polls over the last couple of months.
