express– Following the horrendous election performance last week, a YouGov poll conducted on May 10 has found the leader’s popularity has plummeted. Asked how well Labour is doing, just 17 percent had a favourable view of the leader of the Opposition. In a further blow to the Labour leader, 65 percent of those asked had a poor view of Sir Keir’s performance.
In comparison with April, the poor approval of Sir Keir has increased by 15 percent while those who thought he has done well, has dropped by nine percent.
As seen by YouGov’s approval tracker, Sir Keir’s disapproval rating has risen sharply in the last two months.
Amid this high disapproval rating, the Labour Party lost 327 council seats in last week’s election finishing with 1,345 seats.
Indeed, the Tories won 235 council seats last week finishing with 2,345 as Boris Johnson’s party decimated Labour.
Due to the catastrophic losses, Sir Keir was forced into a chaotic reshuffle of his shadow cabinet.
After attempting to sack his deputy leader Angela Rayner, the Labour leader was forced to shift his deputy to the new position of shadow Duchy of Lancaster, deputy prime minister and shadow secretary for the future of work.
In a statement, Sir Keir said: “The Labour Party must be the party that embraces the demand for change across our country.
“That will require bold ideas and a relentless focus on the priorities of the British people.
“Just as the pandemic has changed what is possible and what is necessary, so Labour must change too.”
Despite this move, insiders have claimed Ms Rayner has come away from the crisis with more power and a greater party remit.
One ally told The Times: “She’s come out of this so much more powerful after a year of being held back.
“On Friday Keir couldn’t answer a simple question about what Labour’s vision is, what our offer is and how we will win back the voters in our heartland seats.
“Angela can answer that question.”
Indeed, the ally claimed Ms Rayner had enough support to challenge Sir Keir’s leadership of the party.
Commentators have now claimed the Labour leader has lost authority in his own party due to the delayed reshuffle following late-night talks with Ms Rayner.
In a further blow to the Labour party, Sir Keir’s parliamentary private secretary Carolyn Harris resigned today.
Some within the Shadow Cabinet claimed Ms Harris had been briefing against Ms Rayner, The Times reports.
Confirming the news, Ms Harris said in a statement: “It has been the proudest moment of my career to co-chair the campaign that saw Keir Starmer elected as Labour leader, and to serve as his PPS for the past year
“Stepping back from this role is the right thing at this moment, coming as it does after some trying personal times and an ever-increasing workload as deputy leader of Welsh Labour.
“I have enjoyed every minute, and look forward to supporting Keir the best way I can in the months ahead.”
