Andy Burnham has emerged as the most popular party leader among young voters in the United Kingdom, according to recent polling data. However, the Green Party appears to hold an edge over Labour in terms of voting intention among this demographic.

The Ipsos survey, conducted between July and August and presented at a fringe event during the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, found that 39 percent of respondents aged 18 to 27 expressed satisfaction with Burnham, the leader of the Labour Party and former mayor of Greater Manchester. Green Party leader Zack Polanski followed closely with a 33 percent satisfaction rating. Dissatisfaction with Burnham stood at 28 percent, while 36 percent were dissatisfied with Polanski, who is seeking election as the Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras next month.

Despite Burnham’s strong personal approval, his party’s broader popularity among young voters has declined. Only 22 percent approved of the current Labour government, while 68 percent expressed dissatisfaction. Notably, if a general election were held tomorrow, 33 percent of young voters said they would support the Green Party compared to 28 percent for Labour. This represents a significant shift from the 2024 general election, where Labour received 41 percent backing from the same age group and the Greens 19 percent.

The survey also highlighted the key concerns influencing young voters’ decisions. Inflation and the cost of living topped the list, with 49 percent citing these issues as likely determinants of their vote. Healthcare and housing were also significant, with 46 percent and 39 percent respectively naming them as priorities. Immigration was less of a concern for young people, with 34 percent identifying it as a key issue, compared with 51 percent of the overall population.

Ipsos’ data also indicated a “Burnham bounce” for Labour among all British adults, with the party moving from a 4.5-point deficit to a 3.5-point lead in the two months following Burnham’s assumption of leadership.

The findings underscore a complex political landscape among younger voters, where leader popularity does not necessarily translate into party support, and issues like economic pressures and social services remain paramount.