Andy Burnham continues to be the public’s preferred choice to replace Keir Starmer

• The public are clearer on what Burnham stand for than Starmer and think he is more likeable and in touch with ordinary people.
• Though picture on other leadership attributes more mixed. Burnham seen as a stronger, more capable leader but his lead is narrower on having the right plans for Britain or be good in a crisis.
• 2 in 3 think Starmer should not lead Labour into the next General Election – 38% say he should go now, 29% say he should go later.

Andy Burnham is the preferred choice to replace him – though many don’t have an opinion or preference. Burnham is seen as more likeable and in touch with ordinary people than Keir Starmer and the public are clearer on what he stands for. Though perception on leadership qualities are more mixed (perceptions of Andy Burnham were measured this month and Keir Starmer in April.

Keir Starmer’s future
Overall, 52% of the British public think Keir Starmer should stand down as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour party (+5 from May ’26), compared to 35% who think he should continue (-1). 

In terms of the future and what Labour should do next:

• 43% of Britons think Labour are more likely to win the next General Election with a different leader (+2 from May ’26). This rises to 53% among 2024 Labour voters. 37% of Britons think it would make no difference (+2), and 8% think Labour are more likely to win with Starmer as leader and Prime Minister (-2).
• When asked what should happen ahead of the next General Election, 67% of Britons think Starmer should not lead Labour into the election (+8 from May ’26). This includes 38% who want him to resign immediately (+4), and 29% who want him to resign but at a later date (+4).  65% of 2024 Labour voters think Keir Starmer should not lead Labour into the next General Election.

The public continue to be split on what to do next if there is a new Prime Minister: 

• 24% of Britons think Labour should hold a leadership contest, but that this does not require a General Election (37% among 2024 Labour voters).
• A fifth (20%) think Labour should hold a leadership contest and call a General Election as soon as possible (19% among 2024 Labour voters).
• 14% think there should not be a Labour leadership contest (22% among Labour voters).
• 20% think there should be a General Election regardless of a possible Labour leadership contest (7% among 2024 Labour voters). 

Andy Burnham
Out of a list of Labour politicians, Andy Burnham is seen as most likely to do the best job as leader (21%). He is followed Keir Starmer (6%), Ed Miliband and Angela Rayner (3%). Out of other names touted as a possible leader, just 1% think Wes Streeting or Al Carns would do the best job as leader of the Labour party. However over half of Britons think that either none of them (30%) or that they don’t know (23%) who would do the best job.

When considering the scenario if Keir Starmer resigned, Britons continue to most prefer that Andy Burnham (23%) becomes the next Labour leader. This rises to 34% among 2024 Labour voters. 

In terms of Andy Burnham’s personal brand, he performs well on several key leadership characteristics, including:

• He has a lot of personality: 42% think it applies, 23% think it does not apply
• He is in touch with ordinary people: 42% applies, 24% does not apply
• He is a likeable person: 40% applies, 25% does not apply
• He is an experienced leader: 40% applies, 25% does not apply
• He understands the problems facing Britain: 39% applies, 25% does not apply

However, Britons are less certain whether he gets the big decisions right and shares their values (both 26%) or that he is good in a crisis (27%).

When compared to a similar poll about Keir Starmer in April.
Burnham leads Starmer by 10 points or more for:

• Has a lot of personality 42%to 16% (+26)
• In touch with ordinary people 42%to 19% (+23)
• He is a likeable person 40%to 22% (+18)
• Strong leader 39% to 21%(+18)
• A capable leader 39% to 26%(+13)
• Sound judgement 33%to 20%(+13)
• Acts with integrity 35%to 25% (+10)

But the gap is much narrower (5 points or less for)

• Pays attention to detail 30% vs 25% (+5)
• Gets the big decisions right 26% to 21%(+5)
• Has the right plans for Britain 28% vs 24% (+4)
• Good in a crisis 27%to 24% (+3)

Additionally, 43% of Britons think it is clear what Andy Burnham stands for (39% not very clear/ not clear at all). This contrast with other Labour politicians including: 

• Keir Starmer: A third (32%) think it is clear what Keir Starmer stands for (-4 from Apr ’26), compared to over half (55%) who think it is not clear (n/c).
• Around half of Britons are not clear what other Labour politicians including Wes Streeting (50%), Shabana Mahmood (50%), Ed Miliband (48%), and Angela Rayner (47%) stand for.

In terms of other politicians: 

• Britons continue to be most clear on what Nigel Farage stands for. 63% say it is clear (+3), 26% not clear (-4).
• Kemi Badenoch: 44% clear (-1), 39% not clear (-4).
• Ed Davey: 36% clear (-3), 46% not clear (+1)
• Zack Polanski: 39% clear (-4), 45% not clear (+4).
   

Of the findings, Keiran Pedley, Director of Politics at Ipsos in the UK said:

Andy Burnham’s victory in Makerfield last night appears to have been driven by the fact he is seen as likeable and in touch with ordinary people, much more so than Keir Starmer. The public are more likely to think they are clear what he stands for too. However, Burnham still has more to do to convince people what he would actually be like a Prime Minister in terms of his plans for Britain and whether he would be good in a crisis.

Notes:

• Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1,142 adults aged 18+ across Great Britain. Interviews were conducted online between the 12th – 16th June 2026.
• Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.