A new poll reveals a deepening crisis of confidence within the Labour Party, with the majority of its members believing that Prime Minister Keir Starmer cannot revive the party's fortunes. The survey, conducted by the thinktank Compass ahead of disastrous local and parliamentary elections, shows that 45% of Labour members believe Starmer should step down. This marks a sharp increase from October, when only 28% said he should resign following poor election results.
Starmer's Leadership Under Fire
The poll of over 1,000 party members found that 51% do not believe Starmer can turn around the party's polling ahead of the next general election. This lack of faith is compounded by the fact that 36% of members have considered cancelling their membership entirely. The findings come after a brutal electoral night where Reform UK won hundreds of seats, the SNP secured a historic fifth victory in Scotland, and Plaid Cymru ended a century of Labour dominance in Wales.
Lena Swedlow, deputy director of Compass, stated: “Voters made their displeasure with Starmer’s leadership heard on Thursday and now Labour members have too. Nearly half want him to stand down and over half don’t think he’s the man for the job.” The sentiment reflects a broader disillusionment, with almost half of members (49%) holding both Starmer and his national government jointly responsible for the dire results.
Andy Burnham Emerges as Clear Favourite
When asked to rank their preferred successor, 42% of Labour members chose Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, as their first choice. Burnham enjoys a net favourability rating of 72%, suggesting he would be a strong contender in any leadership contest. However, his path to the leadership is currently blocked by Labour’s governing National Executive Committee (NEC), which has denied him the chance to run for a parliamentary seat.
Several Labour MPs close to Burnham have told the Guardian they would like to see an orderly and dignified timetable for Starmer to stand down, allowing the mayor time to seek a seat in Parliament. The poll underscores a clear desire for change in both the politics and personnel of the government.
Key Poll Findings at a Glance
The data reveals a party in turmoil, with members deeply divided over the future direction. Below is a summary of the most striking statistics from the Compass survey:
| Metric | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Members who want Starmer to step down | 45% |
| Members who don't believe Starmer can revive party fortunes | 51% |
| Members who prefer Andy Burnham as successor | 42% |
| Members considering cancelling their membership | 36% |
| Members holding Starmer and government jointly responsible | 49% |
| Burnham's net favourability rating | 72% |
Why Members Are Losing Faith
The electoral wipeout on Thursday was a devastating blow. Labour lost control of multiple councils in England to Reform UK, while the Greens made significant gains in London, signalling a progressive disillusionment with Starmer's centrist approach. In Scotland, the SNP's victory further eroded Labour's traditional stronghold. The poll suggests that members see Starmer as unable to counter the rise of Nigel Farage's Reform UK at the next general election.
Members are not just blaming Starmer; 49% see the entire national government as complicit in the failure. This internal dissent is a major challenge for a party that needs unity to mount a credible opposition. The Compass thinktank, which is affiliated with the Mainstream caucus backing Burnham, notes that making changes in “an orderly, measured, considered way will be crucial for the stability and prosperity” of the party.
FAQ: Labour Leadership Crisis
Q: Why do Labour members want Keir Starmer to resign?
A: The poll shows 45% of members want Starmer to step down because they believe he cannot revive the party's fortunes after catastrophic election losses to Reform UK, the SNP, and Plaid Cymru. Over half (51%) doubt his ability to win the next general election.
Q: Who is the frontrunner to replace Starmer?
A: Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is the clear favourite, with 42% of members ranking him as their first choice. He enjoys a net favourability rating of 72%, but he is currently blocked from running for Parliament by the Labour NEC.
Q: What were the key electoral results that triggered this crisis?
A: Labour lost hundreds of council seats to Reform UK in England, the SNP won a historic fifth term in Scotland, and Plaid Cymru ended Labour's 100-year dominance in Wales. The Greens also made gains in London, reflecting broader progressive discontent.
Q: How many members are considering leaving the Labour Party?
A: More than a third (36%) of members polled said they were considering resigning their membership, highlighting a severe erosion of party loyalty and trust in the current leadership.
