Confidence in Theresa May's handling of Brexit plummeting, poll shows

Almost two-thirds of Tory supporters lack confidence in Theresa May's handling of Brexit, a poll has shown.

Some 64% of Conservatives said they did not back the prime minister to secure a good deal, up 11 points from last month.

Overall, 78% of people surveyed by Ipsos MORI were pessimistic about the prime minister's ability to strike a good deal with Brussels, up from 70% a month ago.

Just 19% have confidence in Mrs May's handling of Brexit, down from 28% when the survey was last carried out.

More than four in 10 Britons (43%) believe Brexit will make their standard of living worse - up seven points from a year ago - while 18% think it will improve their situation, down two points from October 2017.

The poll's figures on voting intentions show no change between the two main parties, with the Conservatives on 39% and Labour 37%. The Liberal Democrats are on 10%.

Gideon Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos MORI, said: "2018 has seen falling public satisfaction in the prime minister, her government and rising economic pessimism, and as the Brexit negotiations intensify confidence in Theresa May's ability to get a good deal has fallen even further to a new low.

"And yet the public don't put all the blame at her door - and nor is there much evidence that they would have much more confidence in anyone else." Ipsos MORI interviewed a representative sample of 1,044 adults aged 18+ across Great Britain by telephone between October 19 and 22.