Labour Poll Shows Most Members Doubt Starmer Can Recover Party, 45% Want Him to Quit

Most Labour Party members say they do not believe Prime Minister Keir Starmer can turn around the party's fortunes, and 45% think he should step down.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham topped preferences among 42% of members asked to rank possible successors.

Several Labour MPs, particularly those close to Burnham, told the Guardian they want Starmer to set a timetable for an orderly and dignified departure that would give the mayor time to seek a parliamentary seat.

The poll came just before Thursday's elections. Labour struggled across local contests in England, parliamentary races in Wales and Scotland. Nigel Farage's Reform UK captured hundreds of council seats and control of additional councils in England. Labour lost ground in Scotland as the SNP secured a historic fifth victory. Plaid Cymru broke a century of Labour control in Wales and ousted Labour First Minister Eluned Morgan.

In London, the Greens gained several councils, pointing to rising disillusionment among progressives with Starmer's party.

Burnham holds a net favorability rating of 72% among members, positioning him to win any leadership contest he could enter. He remains barred from running for Parliament by Labour's national executive committee (NEC).

The survey of more than 1,000 members revealed a sharp increase in dissatisfaction with Starmer's leadership. In October, only 28% said he should resign if Labour fared poorly in May elections.

More than a third of respondents said they have considered resigning their membership. The poll came from the think tank Compass, which is linked to Mainstream, a Labour group supporting a potential Burnham bid.

Over half of members, 51%, said they do not believe Starmer can improve the party's standing and doubted he could defeat Reform UK in the next general election.

Members also blamed the broader national government, with 49% holding Starmer jointly responsible for the poor results alongside other ministers. Some 36% had thought about canceling their membership.

Lena Swedlow, Compass deputy director, said: "Voters made their displeasure with Starmer’s leadership heard on Thursday and now Labour members have too. Nearly half want him to stand down and over half don’t think he’s the man for the job."

She added: "In the face of an incredibly serious economic situation at home and abroad, it’s essential that the country and the party have a leader that they can trust. There is a clear desire for change in both the politics and personnel of this government. Making these changes in an orderly, measured, considered way will be crucial for the stability and prosperity of the country."

Burnham's parliamentary supporters aim to pressure Starmer and party leaders into setting a departure timetable and clearing his path to a parliamentary candidacy.

He tried to contest the Gorton and Denton by-election but the NEC blocked him, citing the risk of losing the Greater Manchester mayoralty.

NEC members told the Guardian the stance will hold unless Starmer changes his view, which they see as unlikely.

At least 10 MPs have urged Starmer to establish a departure timetable. They include former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, Women and Equalities Select Committee Chair Sarah Owen, and 2024 elects Jonathan Brash, Simon Opher and Connor Naismith.