A damning new opinion poll has delivered a severe blow to Sir Keir Starmer, revealing profound dissatisfaction with his premiership among the party's own supporters. The exclusive survey for The Independent, conducted in late December 2025, indicates a significant portion of the Labour electorate has already lost faith in his leadership.
Stark Numbers Reveal Leadership Crisis
The poll's findings are unequivocal. Thirty-eight per cent of those who voted Labour in the 2024 general election believe the party would stand a better chance at the next election under a different leader. This sentiment translates to nearly two in five of the party's core voters questioning Starmer's ability to lead them to future victory.
In a particularly brutal assessment, Labour voters ranked Sir Keir as the worst Labour prime minister in history, placing him below even Tony Blair, who was ranked as the second-worst. This historical condemnation, coming so soon into his tenure, underscores the scale of the challenge he faces in uniting his base.
Burnham Emerges as Clear Successor Choice
The survey also pinpointed who supporters see as a potential replacement. The clear favourite is Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, who secured 19 per cent support from Labour voters. This is a notable result given that Burnham is not currently a Member of Parliament, highlighting that voters are looking beyond the immediate Westminster bubble for alternative leadership.
This data will fuel ongoing speculation about challenges to Starmer's authority from within the party. The fact that a prominent figure from the devolved regions is the preferred choice signals a possible shift in where the party sees its future strength.
Implications for Starmer's Premiership
These findings, published on Friday 26 December 2025, represent a major crisis for Sir Keir Starmer. They come amidst persistent speculation about his grip on power and potential internal party manoeuvres. The poll suggests his recent Christmas message, in which he acknowledged many are "still struggling with the cost of living," has failed to resonate sufficiently with those who put him in Number 10.
The core takeaway is stark: one in three Labour voters thinks the Prime Minister should go. For a leader hoping to build a long-term political project, this level of early discontent from his own side poses a fundamental threat to his agenda and his prospects of securing a second term. The pressure to demonstrate tangible results and reconnect with the Labour heartlands has now become immensely urgent.
