Andy Burnham surges ahead as top choice to replace Sir Keir Starmer, bagging 24% support from Labour voters eager for change. The Greater Manchester Mayor outshines all rivals combined, according to fresh BMG Research polls analysed by Jack Curry.
Cross-Party Support Powers Burnham
Burnham isn’t just winning over Labour loyalists. He’s pulling in former Labour voters desperate to boot Starmer out. One in three Labour voters keen on new leadership back Burnham. Even nearly 30% of Reform UK supporters wanting change are rallying behind him.
This spells trouble for Downing Street. A huge 51% want Labour to sack Sir Keir, while only 20% want him to stay put.
Starmer’s Ratings Plummet to Historic Lows
For the first time since taking charge, Sir Keir’s net satisfaction among 2024 Labour voters turns negative at -8. Overall, his net rating has crashed to a bruising -49 — his worst-ever score.
Starmer’s personal favourability is dire at -37, just nudging ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves at -40, but lagging well behind Burnham.
Other Leadership Hopefuls Fail to Impress
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Deputy PM Angela Rayner struggle with only 4% support each among those demanding change.
- Streeting’s favourability rating is a poor -11; Rayner fares worse at -24.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood sinks to -20 in public opinion.
- Burnham stands alone with a positive favourability score of +6.
Shockingly, 23% of voters seeking fresh leadership say “none of the above” when shown a dozen contenders — signalling deep doubts over Labour’s replacement options and challenging claims that a leadership contest would split voters.
Political Shake-Up Looms As Leadership Talks Heat Up
The poll piles pressure on Starmer ahead of May’s local elections, widely seen as a make-or-break leadership referendum. Rumours swirl that Labour MPs may move to axe Sir Keir if the party tanks.
The results also raise questions about the decision to block Burnham from contesting the vital Gorton and Denton by-election on 26 February. Winning that seat would have boosted his bid to take over Labour.
Burnham’s rising star shatters the myth that Starmer enjoys a rock-solid mandate to lead the party into the next General Election.
“About half of voters want a new figure at the helm, while only one in five think Labour should keep Keir Starmer as leader,” said poll analyst Jack Curry.
