A bombshell new poll has revealed that four prominent Labour figures would potentially defeat Sir Keir Starmer if a leadership contest were held today, raising serious questions about the Prime Minister's standing within his own party.
The survey, conducted by Savanta for the Labour Together pressure group, shows significant discontent with Starmer's leadership just months after he led the party to a landslide general election victory. The findings suggest underlying tensions that could threaten party unity.
The Challengers Outpacing Starmer
According to the polling data, London Mayor Sadiq Khan emerges as the strongest potential challenger, with 38% of Labour voters preferring him compared to just 26% who would back Starmer. This represents a remarkable 12-point lead for the London Mayor.
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting also outperforms the Prime Minister, securing 31% support against Starmer's 29%. The narrow margin nevertheless indicates Streeting's growing popularity within the party base.
Perhaps most surprisingly, both Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also poll ahead of Starmer. Burnham attracts 30% support versus Starmer's 28%, while Sarwar edges out the Prime Minister by 29% to 28%.
Timing and Political Context
The polling was conducted between 14th and 18th November 2025, capturing sentiment approximately four months after Labour's decisive election win in July. The survey involved 2,254 UK adults, including 858 Labour voters from the 2024 election.
These results emerge against a backdrop of internal party criticism regarding Starmer's leadership style and policy direction. Several Labour MPs have privately expressed concerns about the government's approach to key issues including public service reform and economic strategy.
Ben Nunn, communications director for Labour Together, emphasised that the findings should serve as "a wake-up call" for the party leadership. The pressure group has close ties to prominent Labour figures and aims to influence party direction.
Broader Implications for Labour's Future
The polling data reveals deeper challenges beyond leadership popularity. Only 36% of Labour's 2024 voters believe the party is currently on the right track, while a significant 30% feel it's heading in the wrong direction.
When asked about Starmer's performance since becoming Prime Minister, just 42% of Labour voters rated it as good or excellent. Meanwhile, 25% described his performance as average, and 15% considered it poor or terrible.
These figures suggest that the electoral coalition that delivered Labour's victory may be more fragile than previously assumed. The party's ability to maintain unity while implementing its manifesto commitments will be crucial in the coming months.
Political analysts note that while leadership challenges are unlikely in the immediate term, these findings could embolden critics within the parliamentary party and influence policy discussions behind closed doors.
The Prime Minister's office has yet to comment on the polling results, but allies are likely to point to the government's legislative agenda and recent policy announcements as evidence of Starmer's effective leadership.
