Martin Lewis has issued a statement distancing himself from any political role following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as Labour Party leader. The money-saving expert quickly spoke out after Starmer's announcement, which came amid falling poll numbers and Andy Burnham's emphatic victory in the Makerfield by-election.
Starmer's Resignation and Lewis's Response
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed earlier today that he would resign as leader of the Labour Party, stepping down less than two years after sweeping to power in a landslide. In an emotional statement outside Downing Street, he cited declining support and the by-election defeat as key factors.
This development led to renewed calls for Martin Lewis to be considered for Prime Minister. New figures from Focaldata suggest the 54-year-old would be a hugely popular choice among Brits, alongside Sir David Attenborough. However, in a statement on social media, Lewis emphatically distanced himself from the role.
He said: "After a few “throw your hat in the ring!” messages...1. I don't want to join any political party 2. I’d rather wire my nipples to electrodes (& not in a good way). Tho the geekdom of this pop-culture politics piece is a mix of flattering, funny & scary."
Focaldata Poll Findings
The Focaldata poll, which surveyed 1,060 Brits, pitted 25 celebrities, TV personalities, politicians, and sports stars against one another in groups of five. Participants were asked who they would want most and least as PM in each round.
The results showed that Martin Lewis and David Attenborough, who would immediately surpass William Gladstone’s record for oldest serving Prime Minister, were the breakout leaders. They achieved best-worst scores of +37 apiece, placing them in their own “national treasure status” sub-quadrant. Both commanded cross-party consensus, recording positive scores across every voting intention group.
Stephen Fry, Big John, and Louis Theroux also had positive best-worst scores across every major party. In contrast, Sir Keir Starmer, Reform leader Nigel Farage, and Green Party leader Zack Polanski were the least popular choices for PM.
Kemi Badenoch was the only major party leader to enjoy a positive rating (+2), suggesting broader cross-party support. Piers Morgan, Jeremy Clarkson, and Gary Lineker varied significantly by party affiliation. Piers Morgan and Jeremy Clarkson were viewed positively by Conservative voters, Reform voters, and those intending not to vote, but negatively by parties on the left. Gary Lineker was almost the exact opposite, performing better among Green and Labour voters, though still viewed as a good candidate for PM by those saying they wouldn't vote.
Lewis's Firm Stance
Lewis's statement made clear he has no intention of entering politics, despite the public's apparent appetite for a non-politician leader. His humorous yet emphatic rejection of any political role underscores his commitment to his current work in consumer finance and money-saving advice.
