Support for the UK Labour Party rose to 27% [1] following the resignation of former leader Keir Starmer.
This shift in voter sentiment suggests a recovery for the party after a period of instability. The surge in support has placed the Reform UK party on the back foot, reversing previous trends that saw the right-wing party gain momentum.
James Macpherson of Sky News said that support for Labour has risen to 27% just ahead of Reform since Keir Starmer announced he was resigning [1]. The data indicates that the change in leadership has boosted the party's perceived competence among the electorate.
Recent polling also highlights a contrast in leadership perception between the parties. In a head-to-head comparison, Labour mayor Andy Burnham was rated as more competent than Reform UK leader Nigel Farage [1].
Burnham received a competence rating of 41% [1], while Farage was rated at 25% [1]. Macpherson said that when Burnham was put head-to-head against Nigel Farage, the former was rated better for competence [1].
These results come amid conflicting reports regarding the overall trajectory of Reform UK. While some data indicates the party is losing ground to Labour, other reports from local elections in 2025 suggested a surge in support for Farage's party. However, the most recent polling following Starmer's departure shows a distinct advantage for Labour in terms of public trust, and perceived ability to govern.
“Support for Labour has risen to 27% just ahead of Reform”
The data suggests that Keir Starmer's presence had become a liability for the Labour Party, and his resignation acted as a catalyst for a rebound in voter confidence. By outperforming Nigel Farage in competence metrics, Labour figures like Andy Burnham are successfully pivoting the narrative from ideological conflict to managerial capability, potentially neutralizing Reform UK's previous momentum.
