Robert Peston from ITV News has suggested that Keir Starmer’s time as Labour leader might be nearing an end, following conversations he’s had with senior Labour Party members. Speaking on the show “Talking Politics,” Peston said he was genuinely shocked by how openly prominent Labour figures, including cabinet members, discussed the possibility of Starmer stepping down before the next election.
According to Peston, many top Labour politicians have privately lost confidence in Starmer, despite him winning a landslide just months ago. He described it as extraordinary that these concerns were surfacing so early in the parliamentary term, suggesting it might partly be politicians exaggerating fears, as they often do.
Public reactions to Peston’s remarks were mixed. Some viewers agreed and weren’t surprised, claiming Starmer had already lost public trust, with one commenter suggesting that the party would benefit from someone like Emily Thornberry or Andy Burnham taking over. Others criticised Starmer for failing to deliver promised change, accusing him of policies that hurt pensioners financially.
However, not everyone shared these views. Several supporters argued strongly in Starmer’s favour, insisting he would remain leader and eventually win the next general election. They urged critics to wait and see what Starmer achieves before judging him too harshly.
Earlier this year, a poll suggested many voters believe Starmer would not last the year as Labour leader. The survey found that a significant majority—68%—thought Starmer was doing a poor job, and many also believed the country was heading in the wrong direction. The poll showed that some voters even saw Nigel Farage as a potential future Prime Minister, while many expressed concerns about Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s performance as well.
Overall, the cost of living crisis was highlighted as voters’ most pressing concern, overshadowing political leadership battles.
