Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Keir Starmer as the latest opinion polls reveal a sharp decline in public trust. A leadership crisis is quietly brewing within the Labour Party just ahead of crucial local elections.

A serious drop in confidence

According to a recent Ipsos poll conducted for LBC, 50% of Britons now believe that Starmer should resign, while only 36% think he should remain in office. Even more concerning, nearly 70% of voters surveyed do not believe Labour can win the next general election under his leadership.

Ipsos Political Director Kieran Pedley stated that Labour currently has “no clear path forward.” Despite growing dissatisfaction both internally and among the public, the party lacks an obvious successor. No current cabinet member enjoys significant public backing. Meanwhile, Andy Burnham—seen as a potential alternative—cannot immediately step in as he is not currently a Member of Parliament.

The Peter Mandelson controversy casts a shadow

The drop in approval comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States. Starmer’s decision has sparked intense criticism over Mandelson’s past connections and raised serious concerns about the transparency of the vetting process at 10 Downing Street.

This week, further hearings are expected in the House of Lords and the Foreign Affairs Committee. On Tuesday, former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney—a figure considered highly divisive within the party—is set to testify. While analysts such as Anna Gross suggest McSweeney is unlikely to turn against the Prime Minister, the revelations are expected to keep the scandal in the headlines at a critical pre-election moment.

Internal tensions and a brewing “rebellion”

Despite Starmer’s firm statement in The Sunday Times that he is “certain” to lead the country into the next general election—and claims of continued loyalty from most MPs—the situation in Westminster appears more fragile.

Rumors have circulated that Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has been urging Labour MPs to remove Starmer under a “now or never” push. While journalists at the Financial Times have not fully confirmed these claims, they acknowledge that behind-the-scenes discussions about potential replacements are indeed taking place.

However, much of the political establishment believes this is not the right moment for a leadership challenge. With economic difficulties, the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East, and imminent local elections, potential contenders such as Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting remain hesitant to take on what is widely seen as a high-risk position. Ultimately, Starmer’s political future may hinge on the outcome of local ballots in the coming weeks.