Keir Starmer Faces Surge of Nigel Farage Support Among Older UK Voters Amid Deputy PM Resignation

New polls from YouGov and Ipsos show Nigel Farage’s Reform UK surging and, in head-to-head tests many older voters prefer Farage to Sir Keir, putting Labour’s electoral prospects at risk. Labour is grappling with internal turmoil and poor public ratings after high-profile exits and revelations that 67% view the government as doing a bad job on the cost of living. Sir Keir has framed the contest as a ‘battle for the soul of the country’, calling for a patriotic national renewal and shifting the fight to Labour versus Reform rather than Conservative. As part of that response the government is pressing ahead with a contested digital ID scheme, pitched as a way to curb illegal working and streamline services despite widespread public opposition. With leadership speculation, mounting criticism and polls suggesting Reform could win large numbers of seats, Labour goes into its conference under intense pressure to change course.