Boris Johnson’s personal approval rating has surpassed that of Keir Starmer for the first time since May last year, according to a new poll that confirms a steady recovery in the prime minister’s popularity. Approval of the job Johnson is doing has increased by six percentage points to 45% over the past fortnight, while 38% disapprove – down three points. Starmer’s ratings have held steady, with 34% approving, up one point, and 29% disapproving, also up one point. The prime minister’s net approval rating of 7 is his best since last May and, at two points higher than Starmer’s net rating of 5, it is also the first time his ratings have been above the Labour leader’s since then. Johnson has also established a clear lead when voters are asked who would make the best prime minister, with 37% opting for him and 25% choosing Starmer. It comes as the government’s vaccine programme progressing at speed, with predictions that every adult could be vaccinated with a first dose well before the official target of the end of July. Parties are beginning to gear up for a local elections campaign that Starmer has played down as “tough” for his party. The vaccine rollout seems to be driving the recovery. As many people now approve (41%) as disapprove (41%) of how the government is responding to the Covid crisis, the first time this has been true since last May. Only a minority (31%) now think the government is underreacting to the virus. Overall, the Conservatives have a six-point lead over Labour, with 43% of the vote compared with Labour’s 37%. The result shows no real change from a fortnight ago, with Labour up a single point. Adam Drummond, associate director at Opinium, said: “With the slip-ups around Cummingsgate and the easing of lockdown rules last year, Boris Johnson’s approval rating nosedived and his leadership looked in question despite winning such an impressive majority just a few months prior. “But with the success of the vaccine rollout, and a fairly well-received budget, Johnson has managed to claw back public support. More now say they approve of his job performance (45%) than disapprove (38%), and his net approval is now higher than Starmer’s. It seems that, yet again, the prime minister has demonstrated an ability to wriggle out of political difficulties.” Opinium polled 2,001 people online on 11-12 March.