Ed Miliband least popular main party leader

All smiles: But Ed Miliband is the least popular leader of the three main parties, according to a new poll. Picture: PA

• Labour leader Ed Miliband is the least likely main party leader voters will choose, a new poll has shown

• Tories and Lib Dems are behind Labour in overall polling, but Miliband popularity is only liked by 30 per cent of people

Polling by Ipsos Mori suggests the Opposition leader is liked by 30 per cent of people, down from 37 per cent in October 2012, and is disliked by 63 per cent - an increase from the 56 per cent recorded last autumn.

More than half of those surveyed do not know what Mr Miliband stands for.

This emerged as both David Cameron and Nick Clegg are liked by a higher percentage of people and disliked by a lower percentage.

The findings also show 49% of people like Labour - a drop from the 51% recorded in October 2012 but six percentage points clear of the Lib Dems. Dislike for the Opposition party has also increased from 42 oer cent to 43 per cent.

The results have been released the day after Mr Miliband was pelted with eggs during his first public appearance of the summer recess where he faced questions about growing murmurings within his own ranks over his leadership.

For Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg the poll suggests his popularity is increasing with 33% of people polled saying they like him, up from 29% in October 2012 although he remains disliked by 57 per cent, a decrease from 63 per cent.

Prime Minister David Cameron is liked by 43 per cent of voters, up from 41 per cent, and disliked by 52 per cent, down from 54 per cent.

The poll also included UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage, who was liked by 27% of people and disliked by 50%.

On the statement “I don’t know what Ed Miliband stands for”, 51 per cent agreed while 37 per cent disagreed.

When the same statement was applied to Mr Cameron 33 per cent agreed and 56 per cent disagreed, on Mr Clegg 50 per cent agreed and 37 per cent disagreed and on Mr Farage 37 per cent agreed and 50 per cent disagreed.

If there was a general election tomorrow, Labour would receive 40 per cent of support from those who stated they would vote, the Tories 30 per cent, Ukip 11 per cent and the Lib Dems 10 per cent.

Gideon Skinner, Ipsos Mori’s head of political research, said: “The challenge facing all party leaders in getting their ideas across to the public is most acute for Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg, even among their own supporters, and it isn’t helped by their low personal ratings.

“Despite that, Labour has held on to their lead, and remains the most liked party.”

Ipsos Mori interviewed 1,007 adults aged 18 and over across Great Britain by telephone between August 10 and 12. It adds the data was weighted to match the profile of the population.

Ed Miliband least popular main party leader - poll