The air in Westminster is thick with whispers, and the latest opinion polls paint a grim picture for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Labour government. While Labour swept into power on a wave of promise, a growing chorus of public dissatisfaction suggests that the honeymoon period is well and truly over. A significant portion of the electorate now views the Labour administration as "sleazy," a label that, until recently, was more readily applied to their Conservative predecessors. With nearly half of all voters calling for Starmer's head, and deep divisions emerging within the party itself, the question isn't just if Labour is losing its grip, but how and why.
"More than half of voters say Labour should replace Sir Keir Starmer as leader." - Daily Mail
This sentiment is not a fleeting concern; it’s a deepening malaise. The recent polls, published by outlets like YouGov, the Express, and the Daily Mail, collectively highlight a stark reality: Keir Starmer is facing a leadership crisis, with his personal popularity plummeting to historic lows. The question looms large: can Labour navigate this storm, or is it heading for a devastating shipwreck before it has even properly set sail?
Read More: Minister Asks to Stop New Top Job Choice Until Old Files Are Out
The Seeds of Discontent: From Promises to Perplexity
Labour's ascent to power, culminating in their general election victory in July 2024, was heralded as a significant shift in British politics. Yet, the period since then has been marked by a series of controversies and a perceptible decline in public favour.
The Starmer Project: When Keir Starmer took the helm of the Labour Party, his promise was one of integrity and competence, a stark contrast to the turbulence of previous administrations. He pledged to move Labour back to the centre ground, emphasizing a return to a more serious, responsible approach to governance.
Early Victories, Lingering Doubts: The Labour Party secured several by-election victories prior to the general election, leading to an increasing sense of inevitability regarding their electoral prospects. However, even then, expectations were reportedly low, and Starmer himself was seen as a drag on the party's brand, his personal ratings consistently trailing those of the party.
Post-Election Nosedive: Following the general election win, Labour's net favourability rating, which initially stood at +1, has plummeted to -27 within three months. This rapid decline suggests that the initial goodwill or electoral momentum has evaporated, replaced by a growing disillusionment.
Key Incidents Fueling the "Sleaze" Narrative:
The perception of "sleaze" isn't abstract; it's being built brick by brick through a series of reported incidents and controversies:
Donor Gifts: Senior Labour figures, including Keir Starmer himself, have faced scrutiny for accepting substantial gifts from party donors. These have reportedly included clothing, glasses, and tickets to events. While not explicitly illegal, such practices raise questions about transparency and undue influence.
The Mandelson Affair: A particularly damaging episode involves Peter Mandelson, nominated by Starmer to be Britain’s ambassador to the US. Disclosures from the Epstein files have revealed Mandelson's past connections to the late financier and paedophile. More concerningly, evidence has emerged suggesting Mandelson sent sensitive government information to Epstein while serving as Gordon Brown's business secretary.
This scandal has triggered calls for the sacking of Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's chief of staff, and even for Starmer himself to step down, given his endorsement of Mandelson's appointment.
The association with such a figure and the questions about judgement it raises have undeniably "left a mark" on the government, as noted by YouGov.
Angela Rayner's Tax Scandal: In September 2025, a significant blow was dealt to Starmer's leadership when his deputy, Angela Rayner, resigned following a tax scandal. This event necessitated a major reshuffle of Starmer's cabinet.
The Verdict from the Ballot Box: A Public Fed Up?
The data emerging from various polls paints a consistent, and deeply concerning, picture for Keir Starmer's leadership. The public appears to be increasingly divided and, by a significant margin, dissatisfied.
Read More: Minister and Mayor Disagree with Businessman on Immigration
| Metric | Percentage | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Want Starmer replaced | > 50% | Daily Mail | Fresh blow to the beleaguered Prime Minister. |
| Want Starmer replaced | > 50% | iNews | In its worst-ever ratings. |
| Want Starmer replaced | > 50% | Express | After perceived "disastrous handling" of the Mandelson scandal. |
| View Starmer unfavourably | 75% | YouGov | Up 3 points since December, highest figure to date. |
| View Starmer favourably | 18% | YouGov | Unchanged, but starkly outranked by negative views. |
| Think Starmer should quit | ~ 50% | Sky News | Speculation building about a leadership challenge. |
| Labour voters think Starmer should quit | ~ 25% | Independent | Even within the party's base, significant dissent exists. |
| Labour Gov't seen as 'sleazy' | 33% | YouGov | Direct comparison to Tories shows division, but a concerning segment holds this view. |
"Sleazier than the Tories?": While fewer Britons outright describe the current Labour government as "sleazy" compared to the previous Conservative government, they are more divided when asked in a direct comparison (YouGov). This suggests that while the Tories may have historically held the "sleaze" crown, Labour is now firmly in the conversation, challenging that perception.
Starmer's Personal Brand: Keir Starmer's personal favourability ratings are dire. A staggering 75% view him unfavourably, a record high, with only 18% holding a positive opinion (YouGov). This is a significant problem, as the leader's image is often intertwined with the party's.
The "Most Unpopular Leader": Reports have labelled Keir Starmer as potentially "Britain’s most unpopular leader in history," with a record negative net satisfaction score of -49 (Daily Mail). This level of public dissatisfaction is unprecedented for a sitting Prime Minister.
Who's Next in Line? The Leadership Vacuum
With such widespread dissatisfaction, attention inevitably turns to potential successors. The discourse within Labour appears to be shifting, with speculation rife about who could – or should – replace Keir Starmer.
Read More: Jim Ratcliffe Criticized for Immigration Comments
Andy Burnham's Appeal: The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, consistently emerges as a front-runner in hypothetical leadership contests. He is the only Labour figure mentioned in the polls who consistently receives a positive favourability score (+6 according to BMG Research via the Express). A significant portion of voters (24%) would want him to take over, and Reform UK voters even see him as a potential unifier.
Other Contenders:
Wes Streeting (Health Secretary)
Angela Rayner (former deputy leader)
Shabana Mahmood (Home Secretary)
While these names are mooted, they garner significantly less support than Burnham, with only 4% of voters preferring them for the top job (iNews).
Undecided and Unconvinced: A substantial number of voters remain undecided about who should lead Labour next, and a quarter are not keen on any of the named potential successors (Daily Mail). This indicates a deeper malaise and a lack of clear, inspiring alternatives emerging from within the party.
"Voters have given Sir Keir a record negative net satisfaction score of -49, making him the most unpopular British leader in history – and 51 per cent said he should go." - Daily Mail
Can Labour Survive Without Starmer? A Question of Strategy.
Amidst the clamour for change, a counter-argument suggests that ousting Keir Starmer might not be the silver bullet some believe.
Read More: Cabinet Secretary Job Delayed Because of Mandelson Papers
The "Negligible Impact" Theory: Analysis from The Conversation suggests that a change of leadership might have a "negligible impact" on vote intentions for the Labour party. If the core issues lie deeper than just the leader's personal popularity, a reshuffling of the deckchairs might not appease the electorate.
Tories Still Lagging: Crucially, while Labour and Starmer are unpopular, the Conservative Party, their main opposition, is often even less so (YouGov, February 2024). This is Labour's saving grace, albeit a fragile one. The public may be dissatisfied with Labour, but they may not yet see the Conservatives as a viable alternative.
The "Liberation" Argument: Polly Toynbee, writing in The Guardian, suggests that Starmer's record unpopularity could paradoxically "liberate" him. If expectations are already rock-bottom, and he's unlikely to win back widespread favour, he might be freed to pursue policies without the pressure of constant popularity-seeking. However, this is a risky strategy when public trust is already eroded.
The Crossroads: Sleaze, Scepticism, and the Specter of Leadership Change
The narrative surrounding Keir Starmer and the Labour government is one of deepening public scepticism. The accusations of "sleaze," fueled by controversies like the Mandelson appointment and donor gifts, are chipping away at the party's image. Coupled with a sharp decline in Starmer's personal popularity, the foundations of his leadership appear increasingly unstable.
The Mandelson Fallout: The revelations surrounding Peter Mandelson have been particularly damaging, raising serious questions about Keir Starmer's judgement and the ethical compass of his administration. How did a politician with such a history of controversy end up being nominated for a prestigious ambassadorship under a Labour government supposedly committed to integrity?
The "Sleaze" Comparison: The fact that a significant portion of the public now views Labour through the lens of "sleaze" is a profound indictment. What specific actions or inactions have led to this perception, and are they isolated incidents or symptomatic of a broader issue within the party?
The Leadership Question: With over half of voters wanting Starmer out, the pressure is mounting. If local elections in May are perceived as a referendum on his leadership, as some MPs believe, a poor showing could trigger an internal revolt. Is the party prepared for such a scenario, and who is the credible figure capable of uniting them?
The Double-Edged Sword of Opposition: While Starmer's unpopularity is a problem, the continued weakness of the Conservative Party offers Labour a lifeline. But for how long can they rely on the opposition's failings to mask their own?
The coming months will be critical. Labour is at a crossroads, facing the stark reality that public opinion has soured dramatically. Whether this translates into a leadership challenge, a change in public sentiment, or a continued struggle for legitimacy, remains to be seen. The key question is whether Labour can rebuild trust and prove they are more than just a less unpopular alternative, or if the "sleaze" tag will become an insurmountable barrier to their governance.
Sources:
YouGov: Most Britons say the Labour government is ‘sleazy’ (October 7, 2024) -
https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/50640-most-britons-say-the-labour-government-is-sleazyThe Express: Keir Starmer on brink as bombshell poll reveals half of Brits want him gone (1 day ago) -
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2167518/Labour-Starmer-Mandelson-crisis-votersDaily Mail: More than half of voters say Labour should replace Sir Keir Starmer as leader (1 week ago) -
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15514461/More-half-voters-say-Labour-replace-Sir-Keir-Starmer-leader.htmlThe Conversation: Data suggests Labour would be making a mistake if it ousted Keir Starmer after May elections (3 weeks ago) -
https://theconversation.co.uk/data-suggests-labour-would-be-making-a-mistake-if-it-ousted-keir-starmer-after-may-elections-273048The Express: Nightmare for Keir Starmer as popularity plummets to new level (1 week ago) -
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2164960/nightmare-keir-starmer-popularity-plummetsWikipedia: Keir Starmer (11 hours ago) -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keir_StarmeriNews: Half of voters want Keir Starmer replaced now – in worst ever ratings (Published) -
https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/half-of-voters-want-keir-starmer-replaced-now-4203071YouGov: Political favourability ratings, January 2026 (3 weeks ago) -
https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/53907-political-favourability-ratings-january-2026YouGov: Why do many Britons feel let down by Labour? (September 24, 2024) -
https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/50578-why-do-many-britons-feel-let-down-by-labourYouGov: Labour and Starmer aren’t popular – but the Tories are even less so (February 29, 2024) -
https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/48786-labour-and-starmer-arent-popular-but-the-tories-are-even-less-soSky News: Half of voters think Starmer will be replaced as prime minister by end of 2026, poll suggests (Published) -
https://news.sky.com/story/half-of-voters-think-starmer-will-be-replaced-as-prime-minister-by-end-of-2026-poll-suggests-13486956The Guardian: Yes, Keir Starmer is Britain’s most unpopular PM ever. That could liberate him (October 28, 2025) -
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/oct/28/keir-starmer-britain-unpopular-prime-minister-reformIndependent: Almost a quarter of Labour voters think Starmer should quit now, new poll shows (November 18, 2025) -
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/keir-starmer-out-quit-prime-minister-labour-poll-b2867280.htmlGB News: Keir Starmer's popularity plunges to unprecedented level as half of voters want PM replaced (Published) -
https://www.gbnews.com/politics/keir-starmer-popularity-latest-polling-update-prime-minsiter-replacement-andy-burnhamGB News: Politics LIVE: Keir Starmer's allies sound General Election alarm as rebels plot No10 coup (14 hours ago) -
https://www.gbnews.com/politics/politics-news-latest-angela-rayner-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-labour
