Shocking Poll: Labour Voters Turn on Starmer, Back Death Penalty for Grooming Gangs! The Reason Will Shock You

Sir Keir Starmer is facing a challenging situation after a new poll revealed surprising opinions among his party’s core voters. The poll found that young people, a key demographic for Labour, are more likely to support the death penalty for those convicted of child rape in grooming gang cases than older voters. This creates a difficult position for the Prime Minister, who has consistently opposed capital punishment throughout his career.

In 2019, as Shadow Secretary of State, Starmer expressed his strong opposition to the death penalty, tweeting: “I spent 20 years of my life fighting against the death penalty in other countries. I never thought that in the 21st century I would see a Home Secretary of the United Kingdom who believes in capital punishment.” This statement referred to Priti Patel’s support for the death penalty during her tenure as Home Secretary under Boris Johnson.

The latest poll, conducted by Friderichs Advisory and JL Partners, reveals that 33% of young voters aged 18-24 support the death penalty for those convicted in grooming gang cases, compared to 29% of voters aged 55-64. Among the oldest demographic, those aged 65 and over, only 22% backed the death penalty, with 56% preferring life imprisonment instead. This shift in opinion among younger voters puts Starmer in an awkward position, as Labour has historically relied on their support, and the party has even proposed lowering the voting age to further engage with younger demographics.

The poll also revealed that black and ethnic minority respondents were more likely to support the death penalty than white voters. This adds another layer of complexity for Starmer, as Labour has traditionally enjoyed strong support from minority communities.

In addition to the death penalty issue, the poll highlighted growing scepticism among Labour voters about multiculturalism following the grooming gangs scandal. When asked if they had become more sceptical about multiculturalism, 13% of Labour voters strongly agreed, and 23% somewhat agreed—meaning over one-third of Labour voters feel this way. This is significant, as Labour has long been seen as the party that champions immigration and multiculturalism.

The poll also showed that Reform UK voters were the most sceptical about multiculturalism after the scandal, with Conservative voters closely following. Overall, 44% of respondents said they had lost trust in the government’s ability to handle such issues, reflecting a broader concern across the public.

There is also widespread demand for a new national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal, with 73% of respondents supporting the idea and only 14% opposed. However, the poll revealed that voters have more trust in Nigel Farage and Reform UK to lead such an inquiry than the current government. This is a further blow to Starmer, who is already navigating significant challenges in addressing his voter base’s shifting views.

These findings underscore the difficulties facing Starmer as he tries to balance his long-held beliefs with the evolving opinions of Labour’s voters. The poll highlights not only a generational divide on issues like the death penalty but also growing discontent with the government’s handling of cultural and societal issues. This presents a complicated landscape for the Prime Minister, who must address these concerns without alienating key segments of his party’s support.