SIR KEIR STARMER finally cleared the lowest bar in political life today: he is more popular than Rishi Sunak.

Pollster Ipsos found that the Labour leader now has a 13 per cent lead over the incumbent as to who might make the best prime minister.

The finding comes after weeks of Tory turmoil, including splits over Rwanda and a demand by former cabinet minister Simon Clarke that Mr Sunak be sacked.

Overall, Labour leads the Tories by 22 per cent in voting intentions, with 49 per cent saying they are planning to back the party.

Fully 78 per cent of those surveyed were dissatisfied with how the Tories are running the country, ensuring that even a wooden Labour leader with no distinct agenda will benefit.

The findings will likely deepen the panic among the Tories at impending electoral annihilation, presaging further splits and hissy fits on the Conservative benches.