Rishi Sunak is trusted more than Keir Starmer on economy, but gets hammered on 5 pledges, says Sun On Sunday reader poll

RISHI Sunak is more trusted than Sir Keir Starmer on the economy — but faces a mutiny from voters who think he is failing on his five pledges.

As the PM heads back to Parliament after the summer break, a poll for The Sun on Sunday lays bare the scale of the challenges ahead for him.

Mr Sunak promised to deliver five key pledges by the end of the year — to halve inflation, grow the economy, get debt falling, cut NHS waiting lists and stop small boats.

But our poll reveals voters think he is failing — giving him less than two out of five across all categories.

And 39 per cent think the PM has made “no progress at all” towards his five priorities.

Mr Sunak is still most trusted when it comes to handling the economy — usually the issue which swings elections.

His policies on Rwanda deportation flights, fighting woke policies and protecting female-only spaces are also popular.

Senior Tories admitted things are tough but Mr Sunak’s economic clout gives him a narrow path to victory at the next election.

But they urged their leader to spell out a bigger vision and put the country firmly “on the road to tax cuts” next year to give Brits something to vote for.

One senior Tory said: “The key issues are immigration and the economy.

“There needs to be a sense we are through the worst and have turned a corner when it comes to the cost of living and wider economic situation.

“If this is the case, many won’t want to risk a step into the unknown.

“Immigration, however, should not be underestimated in terms of its significance.”

The exclusive survey by pollsters Redfield & Wilton Strategies suggests Mr Sunak is trailing behind Sir Keir on who would make the best PM — by 34 per cent to 39.

And voters even trust Sir Keir more than the PM on law and order — usually safe Tory turf.

Forty per cent give Mr Sunak zero out of five for his aim to stop small boats crossing the Channel.

Senior Tories insist he has the right priorities — but needs to make his vision for the UK clearer.

Former Tory Levelling Up Secretary Simon Clarke said: “We need a big-picture analysis about the kind of country we want to build. That is a massive dimension of the jigsaw that is not there.

“We need to deliver — and we also need to inspire. We need to have a vision.”

He added: “We also need a clear economic narrative. I wouldn’t expect tax cuts this year but they need to lay out a plan to cut tax in the Budget next March.”

The poll asked 1,500 voters who they trusted more out of Mr Sunak and Sir Keir on the big issues of the day.

Former Chancellor Mr Sunak got a clean sweep when it came to the economy.

Voters backed him over Sir Keir to grow the economy (36 per cent to 32 per cent), reduce national debt (35 per cent to 29 per cent) and halve inflation (31 per cent to 30 per cent).

The Labour leader inched ahead when it comes to who is more trusted on law and order — by 33 per cent to 31 per cent.

And Sir Keir is ahead of his rival when it comes to who is most trusted to cut NHS waiting lists — by 41 per cent to 22 per cent.

That is despite it being one of Mr Sunak’s key five pledges. It also suggests voters do not have much faith he will hit those priorities before the next election.

In fact, most voters think the Government will fail to hit any.

In better news for Downing Street, the poll shows voters reckon Mr Sunak has it right on crunch issues — including the Rwanda deal, protecting single-sex spaces and opposing Ulez.

However, they have little faith he will actually achieve his ends. People back his plans to deport illegal immigrants to Rwanda by two to one — 43 per cent to 25 per cent.

Most voters — 57 per cent — also back him when he says biological females should have access to single sex-spaces such as prisons and shelters. Just 22 per cent disagree.

And on the hated Ulez car charge, twice as many people say they oppose it coming to their town as those who support it — by 47 per cent to 26 per cent.

Tory grandee Jacob Rees-Mogg said yesterday: “We are saying the right things — now we have to prove that we are going to do the right things.”

He added: “We need action, not words.”

He also called on the PM to dump net zero levies and prove he is on the side of consumers by championing the driver.

Philip van Schelting, director of research at Redfield & Wilton Strategies, warned the Tories that voters do not know what the party stands for.

He said: “At the end of the day, voters need something to vote for.
“The Prime Minister still has some time on his side with a big majority to provide that much-needed substance.”

He added: “If the Prime Minister returns to principles at the roots of his own party — such as lower taxes, taking advantage of Brexit, law and order, and lower immigration — he could get some voters back onto his side.

“Sunak can still define his legacy, and perhaps narrow the polls, but now is his last chance.”