UK voters remain divided on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s handling of the Iran conflict, according to exclusive YouGov polling for Sky News. Forty-one percent of respondents said Starmer has responded poorly to the US’s military actions against Tehran, while 37% said he has handled it well.
Partisan Views and Energy Price Concerns
The poll reveals that 59% of Labour voters from the 2024 general election think Starmer is managing the crisis effectively. Across all parties, there is broad support for increased government intervention to reduce energy costs amid rising prices linked to the Middle East conflict.
Specifically, 84% of voters want action to lower energy bills for all households, exceeding the 73% who support targeted help for the poorest households. Conservative, Reform UK, and some Labour voters prefer universal measures over targeted relief.
Starmer recently announced £53 million in support for low-income households reliant on heating oil, which is not covered by the current energy price cap valid until June. Prices for heating oil have more than doubled since the conflict began.
Opposition to UK Military Involvement in Iran
The survey also finds strong opposition to UK military involvement in the Iran conflict, with 70% of voters against joining the US-led offensive and only 17% in favor. A majority of 57% view US President Donald Trump’s military actions as wrong, while just 18% support his approach.
Voters are skeptical about the impact of US actions on global security: only 11% believe the world will be safer, whereas 34% think it will be less safe and 37% expect little change.
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