The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) is now the most popular unionist party, having overtaken the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in a new poll by LucidTalk.
Gavin Robinson’s party has seen a drop in support at a level they haven’t seen since August 2021 – the last time the UUP polled higher than them. It comes in the wake of Jeffrey Donaldson’s conviction for historic sex offences.
The DUP has dropped three points, sitting on 15%, whilst the Ulster Unionists gained three points, meaning they now sit behind Sinn Fein at 16%.
While Sinn Féin remain the most popular party, they have dropped two points and now sit at 22%.
The SDLP is on the rise and has overtaken the TUV and Alliance to become the 4th most popular party in the country. They have been in opposition since the restoration of the Assembly, and it seems to be paying off as they are performing better than most of the Executive parties.
Jim Allister’s TUV are on the tail of the DUP; they are up another percentage point from April, now sitting at 12%.
The Alliance Party are polling at their lowest level in over five years. Sitting at 10% in the latest poll, they are down another percentage point and are now the sixth most popular party.
The Greens have maintained their 5% popularity rating. Aontu remains at 3%, and People Before Profit are on 2%.
Burrows bounce?
Jon Burrows became the UUP leader at the end of January, and there has been scepticism within the party about the direction they were headed under his leadership.
Doug Beattie quit the party in May, saying the leadership in the party was ‘dismissive and overly centralised’ and claiming it fostered a ‘toxic atmosphere’. There were reports claiming that he was to be de-selected as the UUP’s candidate in Upper Bann.
The last time the UUP polled at 16% was in August 2021, so they are clearly performing better now, but will the MLAs continue to support Burrows with this increase in support from the electorate?
