A recent opinion poll has shed light on what voters perceive as Keir Starmer's biggest mistake since becoming the leader of the Labour Party. The survey, conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies, asked respondents to identify the most significant error made by the Labour leader during his tenure.
Poll Findings Highlight Brexit Misstep
The poll results indicate that a plurality of voters, 28%, believe that Starmer's biggest mistake has been his handling of the Brexit issue. This includes both his initial support for a second referendum and his subsequent shift in position. The finding underscores the ongoing challenges that Brexit poses for the Labour Party, as it struggles to appeal to both Leave and Remain voters.
Other Notable Mistakes Identified
Following Brexit, 15% of respondents cited Starmer's failure to effectively challenge the Conservative government as his biggest error. Another 12% pointed to his handling of the party's internal divisions, particularly the suspension of former leader Jeremy Corbyn. Meanwhile, 10% mentioned his stance on COVID-19 restrictions, and 9% highlighted his economic policies.
The poll also revealed that 18% of respondents could not identify any specific mistake, while 8% said he had made no major mistakes. Among Labour voters specifically, 26% cited the handling of Brexit as the biggest error, followed by 17% who pointed to his failure to challenge the government effectively.
Implications for Starmer's Leadership
These findings come at a critical time for Starmer, as he seeks to position Labour as a credible alternative to the Conservatives ahead of the next general election. The perception that he has mishandled Brexit could undermine his efforts to unite the party and attract voters from across the political spectrum. Political analysts suggest that Starmer may need to adopt a clearer and more consistent stance on Brexit to regain public trust.
The poll surveyed 1,500 British adults and has a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points. It was conducted online between March 10 and March 12, 2025.
