Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing a growing Labour leadership crisis as his policy U-turns fail to halt a slide in support. His recent decisions, including a reversal on means-testing winter fuel payments and signals to scrap the two-child benefit cap, have sparked backlash among voters and MPs alike.
Despite the high-stakes changes, support for Labour continues to drop. According to leading pollsters, these policy shifts are not helping Starmer regain trust. Instead, they may be cementing a reputation for indecision.
Sir John Curtice, a respected polling expert, said voters tend to remember original decisions more than the reversals. He warned that this inconsistency is raising doubts among Labour MPs. Many are questioning whether Starmer is still the right leader for the next general election.
Lord Hayward, another polling expert, echoed this concern. He explained that repeated U-turns make leaders look insecure. That, in turn, fuels talk of replacing them. To regain ground, Starmer must now show a consistent and firm approach.
The pressure is mounting across multiple fronts. More than 150 Labour MPs are preparing to rebel against welfare reform plans. Meanwhile, Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is attracting former Labour voters with a tougher stance on benefits.
Recent local elections revealed more bad news. Labour lost significant support to Reform, highlighting growing dissatisfaction with the party’s current direction. At the same time, internal party tensions are escalating.
Leaked internal memos show sharp disagreements between Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. Last year, Starmer punished seven MPs for opposing the two-child cap. Ironically, he is now considering scrapping that very policy. Curtice noted that the cap still has public support, despite its social impact.
Rayner has publicly denied any interest in the top job. However, sources suggest the soft left wing of the party is pushing her to act. They believe a leadership change may be the only path to recovery.
With Reform UK gaining ground and Starmer’s authority shrinking, the Labour leadership crisis is intensifying. Unless he can regain control, internal rebellion and voter loss may accelerate further.
The Labour leadership crisis shows no signs of easing as party divisions widen and public confidence slips.
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