Keir Starmer’s government is under intense scrutiny, with half of the British public believing he should step down amid backlash over his appointment of Sir Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.
As local elections approach in two weeks, Starmer and the left-leaning Labour Party are finding it tough to persuade the public of their value.
The UK Political Pulse poll, conducted by Ipsos for LBC, indicated that 50% of the 2,262 British adults surveyed earlier this month felt Starmer should resign, while only 36% believed he should continue as prime minister.
Additionally, 68% of respondents expressed skepticism about Labour’s chances in the next general election, scheduled for 2029, although an earlier election could be triggered if the government fails.
Interestingly, just 36% of voters thought replacing Starmer would improve Labour’s odds in the upcoming election, hinting at a belief that the party’s fate is bleak, regardless of leadership changes.
No members of Starmer’s cabinet seem to enjoy significant support, with none exceeding 5% approval among Labour supporters or the wider electorate in 2024.
Among Labour voters, Manchester’s mayor Andy Burnham is perceived as the leading candidate to succeed Starmer, at 25%, but his support drops to 17% among all voters.
However, Burnham’s background in the Tony Blair era and his attempts to reposition himself as a working-class advocate have left doubts about his qualifications for prime minister. Moreover, with Starmer stifling Burnham’s attempt to run in last month’s by-election, the mayor currently lacks a parliamentary seat, making him ineligible for leadership after Starmer.
Keiran Pedley, political director at Ipsos, remarked, “As speculation about Starmer’s future heightens, the Labour Party’s path forward remains unclear. Six out of ten view him unfavorably, and half think he should resign.”
“However, opinions haven’t shifted much since the previous autumn, and it’s uncertain who would succeed him. Burnham is still seen as the most favorable alternative, but his absence from parliament complicates matters. Even with an immediate election campaign, there isn’t a strong national consensus on a successor.”
The ongoing scandal encircling Starmer stems from his choice to appoint Sir Peter Mandelson, known for his links to Jeffrey Epstein, as US ambassador.
It came to light last year that Mandelson maintained ties with a convicted financier even after Epstein was found guilty of child prostitution. Additionally, he may have leaked sensitive information during the 2008 financial crisis, benefiting wealthy individuals.
Starmer’s controversial appointment of Mandelson, given his questionable connections, has faced scrutiny, with accusations that Downing Street facilitated his selection despite concerns from security services. Given that Mandelson is under police investigation, this issue is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
Some speculate that Starmer’s position remains secure, at least temporarily, due to the impending local elections. With parties like Nigel Farage’s reform group and the Greens expected to perform well, any potential successors would probably prefer to see Labour’s anticipated losses rather than risk their own positions.
Starmer’s ongoing public relations mishaps might play into the hands of Farage, whose party has consistently led national polls for over a year, aiming to leverage Labour’s struggles to establish a political foothold capable of challenging Downing Street.
