Andy Burnham hit by huge poll blow before he has even become PM

Andy Burnham's popularity has taken a hit before he has even entered 10 Downing Street, new polling shows. The number of Britons who view the likely next PM negatively has reached its highest level to date at 43%, according to the YouGov survey.

Some 32% see the new Makerfield MP positively, giving him a net rating of minus 11. The former Greater Manchester mayor had a net popularity score of minus four just after the Makerfield by-election earlier this month.

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Views on Mr Burnham's character have also become more negative compared to previous polling in May.

The number of Britons who see him as competent has dropped seven points to 36%, while there has been a five-point reduction in those seeing him as principled at 25% and trustworthy at 22%.

But he still outperforms Sir Keir Starmer on key personal characteristics despite the dip in his ratings.

And there were a large number of respondents who answered "don't know" when asked about him.

Andy Burnham's net favourability rating has returned to -11, having briefly ticked up to -4 after the Makerfield by-election victory

The 43% of Britons with an unfavourable view of Burnham is the highest level to date (32% are favourable) pic.twitter.com/2H9tB7MgqL

It comes as Mr Burnham gave a major speech this morning setting out his plans if he becomes prime minister.

He said he would transfer power out of Whitehall as part of a "10-year mission" to drive up living standards.

Mr Burnham could become prime minister on July 20 if he is the only contender to replace Sir Keir as Labour leader.

The YouGov poll of 2,075 people was carried out from July 24-25.