Nigel Farage would be the best opposition leader if Sir Keir Starmer wins the General Election, according to a new poll.
Some 28% backed the Reform UK leader in the survey of 10,000 British voters by Redfield & Wilton Strategies.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was one point behind with 27%, while 14% said Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey.
A further 12% of respondents said someone else, while 19% did not know in the poll carried out from June 7-10.
Among 2019 Tory voters, Mr Farage and Mr Sunak were level with 39% each.
It comes after Mr Farage made a sensational political comeback as Reform’s leader and to stand in Clacton at the General Election.
But the Brexit architect was attacked on the campaign trail for the second time in a week today.
Mr Farage had objects which appeared to be a coffee cup and wet cement thrown at him while he was on top of a party battle bus in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
He was last week doused in a milkshake as he launched his campaign in Clacton in Essex.
But the 60-year-old tonight vowed he “will not surrender to the mob” following the incidents.
Speaking at a rally in Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, the Reform UK leader described the situation as “very difficult because I actually like going out meeting people”.
He said: “All I can say is that whilst it’s concerning and whilst of course it does make me thoughtful and I may need to change tactics, slightly, but I’m going to make one promise to you… and my promise is this: I will not surrender to the mob, I will not stop campaigning, this democratic process has to continue.”