Burnham heads list of candidates to replace Starmer as PM preferred by Labour members
A survey among Labor Party members has confirmed enthusiasm for Sir Keir Starmer to be replaced by Andy Burnham.
Mr Burnham would be preferred over Sir Keir by 58 per cent to 32 per cent, according to Survation for LabourList’s poll of 1,013 Labor members.
Norwich South MP Clive Lewis last week offered to give up his seat so Mr Burnham could run for parliament to become leader.
Former deputy chancellor Angela Rayner also has a strong 19-point lead over the Prime Minister, 52 per cent to 33 per cent, despite being forced to resign over non-payment of £40,000 in stamp duty.
Energy Minister Ed Miliband, who lost the 2015 election as Labor leader, is also preferred by four points over Sir Keir, with 44 per cent to 40 per cent.
Health minister Wes Streeting, who has recently been at the center of accusations that he is planning to overthrow the Prime Minister in Downing Street, will win with a difference of 31 percent to 33 percent.
Speculation that an attempt could be made to oust Sir Keir as Labor leader has been running high since the beginning of this month, after sources in Downing Street published the briefing against Mr Streeting.
The prime minister said in an interview that he hoped to lead the party until at least 2034, covering two more elections. Officials said he would fight any attempt to eliminate him.
But his government’s growing popularity and the threat of Nigel Farage’s Reform on the right and the Greens on the left have led some to suggest he could be removed from office after the next local elections in May.
Labor has fallen to fifth in the polls and now averages less than 20 per cent, just above the Conservative Party.
Other candidates to replace Sir Keir are disliked by the membership.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who has angered many with her draconian new policies on refugees, will lose by 50 per cent to 16 per cent against Sir Keir.
Deputy leader Lucy Powell, who won the contest to replace Ms Rayner on a platform critical of Sir Keir, will lose to her by 48 per cent to 30 per cent.
Emma Burnell, editor of LabourList, said: “Starmer’s team has made it clear that if a leadership contest arises he will run.
“Of course, that was a week ago and we all know that’s a long time in politics. “If it comes to that, Starmer may decide that a contest in which he entered and was likely defeated would be very damaging to the party in the long run.
“However, Starmer’s two leading rivals also face serious challenges. Rayner, because unfortunately not enough time has passed since he was forced to resign. Burnham, because she faces many obstacles to becoming a candidate. If things go quickly, she may not be able to return to parliament in time to stand.
“This may give hope to Starmer and his team. He will feel much safer if there is no obvious candidate who can beat him.”
He added: “This is all speculation at the moment. But it is speculation that leaders have invited with their own briefing on Streeting. As a result this conversation has gone from mildly disgruntled whispers to genuine speculation.”
“This is the first poll of Labor Party members since this issue came to light. They are clearly questioning whether Starmer is still the right person to lead the party.”
