Keir Starmer struggles to defend Labour's £30bn energy policy
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Sir Keir Starmer took over from Jeremy Corbyn as Leader of the Opposition on April 4 2020 and is now leading the Conservative party in the polls by four points according to the latest YouGov data. Despite rebounding the party following Mr Corbyn’s leading Labour to its biggest defeat in decades, Express.co.uk readers think Sir Keir’s time is up.
Sir Keir is also not popular among the general public with a Britain Elects’ net favourability score of -7.
At the same point in their leadership, Mr Corbyn had a net favourability score of -1.6 while Ed Miliband had a score of -21.7 at the same point.
One senior Labour figure said: “Many of us wish we were more ruthless. If it was the Tory party he’d be gone by now.”
A shadow cabinet source also said it was frustrating Sir Keir went “missing in action” while the Government was engulfed in a cost of living crisis.
Writing for the Daily Mail on Friday, August 12, columnist Dan Hodges said: “Starmer is leader of the Labour Party in name only.
“He has no true agenda of his own. He has no true philosophy of his own. He has no true strategy he can call his own.”
In a poll that ran from 4pm on Sunday, August 14, to 3pm on Wednesday, August 17, Express.co.uk asked readers: “Is it time for the Opposition to dump Sir Keir Starmer as leader?”
Overall, 1,029 people cast their votes with the vast majority, 68 percent (695 people) answering “yes” it is time for Sir Keir to be dumped as Labour leader.
A further 31 percent (321 people) said “no” he should not be dumped, while just one percent (13 people) said they did not know.
Hundreds of readers shared their thoughts on Sir Keir’s future in the comments below the accompanying article.
Many readers argued that Sir Keir should step down from his role as Leader of the Opposition.
One reader, username Massum commented: “Bin him.”
Another, username MaybeWhats said: “Labour need a complete makeover, to carry on as they are is political suicide.
“They need new faces, new outlook together with innovative new policies, the electorate are sick to death of the same old, same old.”
Meanwhile, some readers suggested candidates to take his place.
Username Dogend wrote: “We want [Jeremy] Corbyn.”
Username Robert180650 said: “Yes please! Replace him with Dianne Abbott!”
And username Zinnki said: “[Sir Keir] should step down and let Angela Rayner take over instead. That’ll ensure Labour never gets into power.”
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However, other readers argued that Sir Keir should retain his position as it was beneficial for the Conservatives.
Username Mayihaveaword said: “No, keep Starmer in place, he’s one of the best vote winners for the Tories.”
Username Puppetonastring said: “Please don’t dump Starmer. While he’s their leader, Labour will not get in power.”
Likewise, username Michaelvan wrote: “Starmer should stay on as Labour leader. So they will continue to lose at everything.”
And username Waysie said: “Oh don’t ditch Sarmer! He will keep the conservatives in!”
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