Poll exhibits Labour slipping into FOURTH behind Greens as native elections strain mounts on Starmer
A poll showed Labour slipping into fourth place today as pressure mounts on Keir Starmer ahead of local elections.
YouGov research found Reform still ahead on national voting intention, on 24 per cent with the Tories second on 19 per cent.
However, the Greens had gained two points to edge ahead of Labour, by 18 per cent to 17 per cent.
The grim figures will fuel nerves in the Government ranks amid fears of a major meltdown on May 7.
Nigel Farage‘s insurgents are poised to make sweeping gains, while the hard-Left Greens could also inflict huge damage.
It could be a moment of extreme danger for the premier, although Donald Trump‘s war on Iran appears to have eased the pressure somewhat.
A poll showed Labour slipping into fourth place today as pressure mounts on Keir Starmer ahead of local elections
As recently as February Sir Keir came close to being ousted over the Mandelson scandal, with the Cabinet only rallying round at the last moment.
Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham are among the senior figures regarded as ‘on manoeuvres’ in case the PM falters.
On a ‘unity’ visit with Ms Rayner and Mr Burnham in Greater Manchester yesterday, Sir Keir insisted he will not quit if the elections go as badly as feared.
”I was elected in July of 2024 with a five-year mandate to change this country, and I intend to carry through that mandate,’ he said.
‘I will be judged at the next election on whether I’ve delivered, and I know that I’ll be judged on whether living standards have improved, whether our public services are better, particularly the health service, or whether people feel safe and secure as a country in a more volatile and dangerous world.’
Sir Keir is preparing to weather a Labour backlash by calling the King’s Speech for six days after the elections.
That means that MPs will not gather at Parliament until May 13, nearly a week after the polls.
As well as limiting the opportunity for plotting, the Government laying out its plans for the coming session could also give Sir Keir the chance for a ‘reset’.
Prorogation is typically a week to a fortnight before the State Opening – likely to be April 29.
Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham smiled for the cameras as they visited a school in Greater Manchester less than a month before local polls
