Labour voters urge Starmer exit after a damaging new poll revealed deep doubts among the party’s own supporters about Keir Starmer’s ability to win another general election.
The findings highlight a widening Keir Starmer leadership crisis, driven less by opposition attacks and more by dissatisfaction within Labour’s traditional voter base.
A JL Partners poll commissioned by The Independent shows Labour supporters overwhelmingly believe the party would perform better electorally under a different leader.
Asked whether Labour would do better or worse if Starmer stepped aside, respondents backed leadership change by a decisive three-to-one margin.
Thirty-eight per cent of those who voted Labour in 2024 said the party would do better without Starmer as leader.
Only 13 per cent believed Labour would perform worse, while 39 per cent felt leadership change would make no difference.
A further ten per cent said they were unsure, reflecting both dissatisfaction and uncertainty among Labour voters.
Among voters across all political parties, similar scepticism towards Starmer was recorded.
Twenty-nine per cent of all voters believed Labour would improve under a new leader, compared with 14 per cent who said change would be harmful.
Forty-four per cent of respondents believed a leadership switch would not alter Labour’s electoral prospects.
Notably, Labour voters were more pessimistic about Starmer’s leadership than the general public.
This internal mood has intensified speculation over a potential Labour Party leadership challenge.
The poll was conducted amid reports of quiet unrest among Labour MPs and senior figures concerned about Starmer’s political direction.
Pressure increased earlier this month after it emerged that Labour Together privately surveyed members on Starmer’s popularity.
Although those findings were not released, insiders believe they broadly mirror the JL Partners results.
Respondents were also asked who should replace Starmer if he were to resign as Labour leader.
The survey revealed Andy Burnham as the clear favourite among Labour supporters.
Nineteen per cent of Labour voters chose Burnham, placing him well ahead in the Andy Burnham Labour leader poll.
Angela Rayner ranked second with ten per cent support, while Lucy Powell followed closely with nine per cent.
Wes Streeting and former leader Ed Miliband each received six per cent backing from respondents.
Shabana Mahmood secured four per cent support, Bridget Phillipson three per cent, and Darren Jones two per cent.
However, 15 per cent of Labour voters said they would not support any of the listed candidates.
A further 26 per cent were undecided, underlining uncertainty about Labour’s future leadership.
Burnham also emerged as the most popular successor among voters across all political parties.
Despite this popularity, Burnham is currently unable to contest a Labour leadership election.
Labour rules restrict leadership contests to sitting Members of Parliament, and Burnham is not an MP.
This technical barrier complicates Labour’s leadership debate but has not reduced grassroots enthusiasm for Burnham.
Supporters view the Greater Manchester mayor as closer to Labour’s traditional working-class roots.
Significantly, the poll showed that Labour’s preferred alternative leaders are all positioned to the left of Starmer ideologically.
This shift could help Labour counter rising support for the Green Party under new leader Zac Polanski.
However, moving left risks alienating voters in Red Wall constituencies increasingly attracted to Nigel Farage’s Reform Party.
Regional results revealed particularly strong dissatisfaction with Starmer in the North West.
Fourteen per cent of Labour voters in the region said the party would do “much better” if Starmer were replaced.
The findings suggest Labour’s northern heartlands are among the most restless under the current leadership.
Further evidence of the Keir Starmer leadership crisis emerged when respondents ranked him against past Labour prime ministers.
Starmer was rated the worst Labour prime minister in the party’s history, even below Tony Blair.
The verdict represents a sharp collapse in confidence given Labour’s recent return to power.
Political analysts warn such perceptions can become entrenched if not addressed swiftly.
James Johnson, director of JL Partners, said the poll revealed a profound loss of faith in Starmer.
“What will worry Downing Street most is that doubts are strongest among Labour supporters themselves,” Johnson said.
He warned that unless confidence is rebuilt quickly, internal pressure for change will intensify.
Johnson also cautioned that a shift leftwards does not automatically guarantee electoral success.
Despite the bleak findings, Starmer has insisted he intends to lead Labour into the next election.
Allies argue that leadership instability could undermine Labour’s governing credibility.
Critics counter that ignoring grassroots discontent risks deeper long-term electoral damage.
The JL Partners Labour survey adds weight to claims that Labour’s leadership debate is far from settled.
With dissatisfaction growing and alternatives gaining visibility, Labour faces a defining crossroads.
Whether Starmer can restore authority or faces mounting calls to step aside may shape Labour’s future direction.
JL Partners surveyed 1,562 adults on December 13 and 14.
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