‘Shocking’ hatred on social media contributed to Starmer’s unpopularity, minister says
The level of “abuse and hate” on social media is partly to blame for Sir Keir Starmer’s record unpopularity with voters, a government minister has said.
Housing minister Steve Reed said online abuse targeting the “man at the top” was “shocking” as he sought to explain public discontent with the outgoing prime minister after just two years in office.
Sir Keir has struggled to maintain positive ratings with voters since becoming prime minister in 2024; An Ipsos poll taken in November 2025 shows him as the least popular prime minister since records began in 1977.
Asked about his discontent with Sir Keir Starmer on Sunday, Mr Reed told Sky News the figures reflected “how people feel about this country” and also the changing nature of social media.
“First of all, you have mixed views on Keir Starmer, as you do on other leaders, but I recognize the point you are making,” he said.
“The last four prime ministers have each been the least popular prime minister ever, which says something about how people feel about this country, and that feeling is made clear in the figure of the prime minister.
“But I think what’s changing is social media; the level of abuse and hate that we see targeted at all kinds of public figures, especially the man at the top, is really quite shocking these days, and we need to think a lot more about how we can send more positive, hopeful and optimistic messages to the country through that same social media channel.”
But Mr Reed insisted Andy Burnham had a “positive” message to counter negative messages on social media, telling the broadcaster: “I think that’s something Andy Burnham did incredibly well, both when he was mayor of Manchester and in the Makerfield by-election.”
Labour’s senior figures insisted the party was united behind its leadership leader Mr Burnham following his election in the Makerfield by-election.
Mr Burnham has bucked national trends to increase Labour’s vote share in this month’s contest, following disastrous local election results in May that intensified calls for Sir Keir’s resignation.
Labor has come under pressure to call a snap election as the party prepares to appoint a new name to Downing Street following Sir Keir’s resignation.
His likely successor, Mr Burnham, has indicated that he will not call a national election so far because some MPs fear they could lose their seats to Reform UK or the Greens in an early election.
Housing minister Steve Reed said on Sunday that “the people do not want a general election” as he called for the transition at Number 10 to be “orderly”.
He added: “The people don’t want a general election and that’s not just my instinct. When you look at the polls they say the vast majority don’t want it. They want us to get on with the job.”
But the question of whether Mr Burnham has the authority to govern based on the mandate he received from the Makerfield by-election and his party could pose a major problem for the former mayor.
Home Secretary Mike Tapp, who opposes replacing Sir Keir, made a public appeal, while one of Mr Burnham’s main supporters warned privately: “If he doesn’t go to the country we will fall prey to the empty 2024 manifesto.”
