Poll Shows Starmer’s Leadership in Jeopardy as Cost of Living and NHS Top Public Concerns

A recent poll reveals that the cost of living and the state of the NHS are the two biggest issues worrying families in the UK. The survey also shows that many Britons think Prime Minister Keir Starmer might not stay in office for more than a year.

The poll, conducted by Deltapoll for the *Daily Mail*, found that 68% of people believe Starmer is doing a poor job just six months into his role. Additionally, 69% think the country is heading in the wrong direction. Concerns about rising living costs and the NHS are at the forefront.

Interestingly, 20% of respondents believe Nigel Farage could become the UK’s next Prime Minister, while 46% feel Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, isn’t performing well.

The situation worsened for Starmer after 20 councillors in Nottinghamshire quit the Labour Party, accusing him of abandoning traditional Labour values. They highlighted policies like cutting the winter fuel allowance and Labour’s stance on the Gaza war as reasons for their decision.

Joe Twyman, co-founder of Deltapoll, noted that Starmer’s declining poll ratings are a challenge. While there’s time before the next general election, turning the numbers around might be difficult without significant economic improvements.

Despite these setbacks, Labour still leads in voting intentions, with 30% of people saying they’d vote Labour, compared to 23% for the Conservatives and 22% for the Reform Party. However, 33% are particularly worried about the economy, and 14% are concerned about high taxes.

Among Labour voters, Angela Rayner is seen as the most likely candidate to replace Starmer if he steps down. Meanwhile, some Conservatives want Boris Johnson to return to frontline politics.

A Labour MP expressed concerns about the poll results, saying they confirm growing dissatisfaction with Starmer’s leadership. On the other hand, a Labour source defended him, stating that the public is used to frequent changes in leadership and that Starmer is focused on long-term change despite the current challenges.