Recent polling indicates a troubling shift in the public perception of Labour and its leader, Keir Starmer, as nearly a third of Labour voters reportedly regret their electoral choice in the 2024 general election. This regret, surfacing despite Labour’s landslide victory, highlights the party’s growing disconnect with the electorate. While 64% of Labour supporters initially backed their vote, this is significantly lower than the approval ratings among Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, standing at 83% and 81%, respectively.

The poll suggests that Labour is woefully out of touch with pressing societal issues, as a substantial 62% of respondents feel the party does not adequately grasp the ongoing cost of living crisis. Further underlining this disconnect, 58% of voters believe Labour is misreading immigration sentiments, while majorities express dissatisfaction with the handling of housing, employment, and healthcare matters. Alarmingly, 49% of voters feel the government is misjudging public transport issues, an area that has become increasingly critical under Starmer’s leadership. Ali Rehman Malik, Chairman of IRR International, called this polling an urgent wake-up call for Labour, remarking that it should prompt an urgent reassessment of priorities to regain the trust of nearly a third of its own voters.

Dissatisfaction with Starmer complicates Labour’s standing further. An Ipsos survey conducted in late 2024 revealed a stark 61% of respondents dissatisfied with his performance, marking his lowest approval rating to date. Even within his party, only 54% of Labour supporters report satisfaction, reflecting a concerning drop and mirroring a broader trend of economic pessimism where 65% of the public expect a worsening economy.

The analytical landscape reveals troubling dynamics for Labour. Pollsters significantly overestimated Labour’s support during the election, marking a vote share at just 34%—the lowest for a governing party in over a century. This discrepancy suggests a profound erosion in public confidence not only in Labour but in the broader political establishment, underlining the urgency for alternative voices.

Emerging support for right-wing alternatives highlights Labour’s vulnerabilities. In October 2024, disillusioned voters from previously Conservative strongholds, who had switched allegiance to Labour, began expressing regret over their choice, particularly in response to Starmer’s proposed tax increases aimed at addressing economic pressures. The resultant sentiment has driven a noteworthy decline in Labour’s poll ratings. A YouGov poll from February 2025 underscored this trend, revealing that a right-wing party focused on reform had surpassed Labour in popularity for the first time—a clear signal of the discontent simmering within the electorate.

Starmer’s waning popularity further compounds Labour’s challenges, particularly due to several unpopular policies, such as cuts to energy benefits for retirees and a controversial two-child limit on family allowances. Adding fuel to the fire, a public scandal—dubbed ‘Frockgate’—involving gifts received by Starmer and his associates has further tarnished the party’s credibility.

In light of these developments, Labour stands at a critical juncture, where immediate and decisive action is paramount. The current political climate demands urgent introspection and adaptation within the party to not only reconnect with its disillusioned electorate but also to confront the multifaceted challenges posed by emerging alternatives keen on embracing change and addressing the real concerns of the public.

Source: Noah Wire Services