A devastating poll has dealt a final blow to Sir Keir Starmer, with 75% of Express readers branding him the worst Prime Minister of all time on the eve of his final Prime Minister's Questions. Out of 4,695 respondents, 3,510 answered “Yes” to the question “Was Keir Starmer the worst PM of all time?” while only 1,105 said “No” and 80 were unsure.
Starmer's Final PMQs Amid Caretaker Constraints
Sir Keir is expected to face intense scrutiny at PMQs today after his emotional resignation announcement on Monday. Downing Street has confirmed that no major policy decisions or spending pledges will be made before a new party leader is chosen, limiting the scope of his caretaker government. This has left him vulnerable to attacks over his diminished authority.
Leadership Race Heats Up: Burnham Takes the Lead
Andy Burnham, the likely successor, has already been offered government briefings to prepare for power after civil service access talks were authorised. The pair met on Tuesday in what sources described as a “frosty” encounter away from No 10. Tensions are rising over the defence investment plan, which Sir Keir is determined to finalise before leaving office to present at the NATO summit in Turkey on July 7. The blueprint offers £14 billion in extra funding for the armed forces, well short of the £28 billion demanded by military chiefs. Sir Keir sees it as key to his legacy, but Burnham’s allies and supporters of resigned Defence Secretary John Healey are urging him not to publish until the new leader is in place.
Potential Burnham Cabinet Takes Shape
Talks are continuing over the shape of a potential Burnham cabinet, with senior figures including Louise Haigh, Ed Miliband, Shabana Mahmood and Wes Streeting tipped for top jobs. Former cabinet minister James Purnell is being lined up as a possible chief of staff. Crossbench peer Jim O’Neill, advising Mr Burnham, has called for a new independent body modelled on the Office for Budget Responsibility to unlock extra infrastructure spending within fiscal rules.
Other Leadership Contenders
While Burnham remains the clear favourite, former defence minister Al Carns has signalled he is “pretty serious” about a leadership bid and wants to see Burnham’s policies first. Chief Secretary Darren Jones has ruled himself out, declaring Mr Burnham “is going to be the next prime minister.” The Express poll reflects widespread frustration among readers with Sir Keir's short and troubled time in No 10. As he limps towards the exit, the numbers paint a brutal picture of a premiership already judged harshly by the public.
