Andy Burnham is Labour’s greatest hope of protecting Farage out of No10, based on UK’s high pollster | EUROtoday

Andy Burnham represents Labour’s greatest hopes of protecting Nigel Farage out of No 10, Britain’s main pollster has warned, in addition to asserting that Sir Keir Starmer “doesn’t have the skill set for Downing Street”.

In a scathing evaluation, Professor Sir John Curtice accused the prime minister of not having a imaginative and prescient for the nation and stated he doesn’t imagine Sir Keir can “learn to be a politician” within the new 12 months.

The prime minister insisted on Sunday that he’ll nonetheless be in put up subsequent 12 months and warned management rivals that any strikes to oust him can be a “gift” to Mr Farage and Reform UK.

But Sir John instructed The Independent he believes that solely Greater Manchester mayor Mr Burnham has the help inside the Labour Party, and attraction to the broader voters, to be an efficient substitute for the beleaguered prime minister, whose future seems more and more unsure.

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However, he famous that the route again into Westminster is “very difficult” for Mr Burnham, as a result of he would must be elected as an MP.

“Andy Burnham is probably still the best possibility, but there are many barriers in his way,” he stated.

“If you look at his popularity both within and outside the Labour Party, his popularity is clearly more extensive than any of the other candidates.”

While Mr Burnham lately dismissed claims that he’s planning a comeback to Westminster within the new 12 months, a YouGov ballot final month confirmed he was the clear frontrunner among the many candidates tipped to succeed Sir Keir, forward of former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and well being secretary Wes Streeting.

There has been widespread hypothesis in current weeks that each Ms Rayner and Mr Streeting have been making ready the bottom for management bids, however Sir John was sceptical about their probabilities.

“Wes Streeting is not that popular in the party, although he’s got a good backstory, but he is bearing the cross of being health secretary,” he stated.

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“He has, rather controversially, decided to reorganise the administrative delivery of health in England in the middle of a crisis. I think one can probably say that his ability to succeed as a departmental minister has yet to be proven.”

But Sir John added: “He’s undoubtedly a good communicator, and certainly has a much better political feel than Starmer.”

Turning to Ms Rayner, who is a well-liked selection on the left of the occasion and has been tipped for a cupboard return, he raised questions over whether or not she may face related issues to Sir Keir.

“Angela Rayner is clearly popular within her party but tends to be divisive within the electorate,” he warned.

“What we don’t know is, does she have a vision? She’s always been deputy to Starmer, and Starmer doesn’t have a vision.

“Could Rayner craft a vision? And does she have the skillset for 10 Downing Street? We know Starmer doesn’t, but does she?”

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Despite current hypothesis that dwelling secretary Shabana Mahmood was eyeing the highest job, notably after she was described as “brilliant” and “impressive” by Sir Tony Blair, Sir John was not satisfied she can be a powerful contender for the highest job.

“I mean, sections of the Labour Party will be currently swallowing her social conservatism as home secretary, but in leadership consideration it’s different,” he stated.

Noting that she fared badly on Labour List surveys of occasion members, he added: “I think she’s clearly talented, but whether or not she could appeal to the Labour Party electorate is debatable.”

Looking forward to extra political turbulence in 2026, Sir John added: “I would not be surprised if there had not been at least one significant change of leadership by this time next year.”

Both Sir Keir and Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch have seen their reputation plummet this 12 months, and the May elections may very well be the final straw for disgruntled MPs hoping to retain their seats on the subsequent normal election.

He stated: “The problem this Labour face is they lose votes to the Greens and because Reform is squeezing the Tory vote and taking some votes off Labour and it’s Reform that would benefit in terms of seats.”

The Independent has requested for a remark from Mr Burnham.