What the polls say about the potential challengers to Keir Starmer’s leadership

Politics
12 May 2026 • 4:32 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

What the polls say about the potential challengers to Keir Starmer’s leadership

  • Sir Keir Starmer is facing a significant leadership crisis, with at least four Cabinet members, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, reportedly urging him to resign and set a timetable for his departure ahead of a crucial weekly meeting.
  • There is mounting speculation that Wes Streeting, the Shadow Health Secretary, is planning to launch a leadership challenge, with Labour sources indicating a bid is expected on Tuesday.
  • More than 80 Labour MPs are now publicly calling for a change in the party's leadership following what Sir Keir described as "tough" local election results.
  • A recent YouGov poll indicates that Andy Burnham is the most favoured alternative to Sir Keir among the public, with 34 per cent believing he would do a better job, although his return to Westminster would take months.
  • Other potential leadership contenders, according to the YouGov poll, include Angela Rayner at 15 per cent, and Wes Streeting and Ed Miliband both at 13 per cent.

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