YouGov Labour members polling: If there is a leadership contest, your first preference: Burnham 47% Starmer 31% Rayner 8% Streeting 4% Miliband 3% Cooper 3% Mahmood 1%

The latest YouGov polling among Labour members signals a significant preference for Burnham over Starmer in potential leadership contests, with Burnham securing 47% and Starmer at 31%.

Newsquawk StaffPublished 18 May 2026, 18:21 UTCOn the live feed at 18:01 UTC — 4 more headlines followed before this page went public

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18:10

A source updated on the U.S. moves said that an additional American strike on Iran "is not a question of whether but of when.", via Israel's Hayom News

18:02

IAEA has been informed by the UAE that off-site power was restored to Unit 3 of the Barakah NPP earlier today, following yesterday’s drone strike that caused a fire in an electrical generator near the site

18:01

YouGov Labour members polling: If there is a leadership contest, your first preference: Burnham 47% Starmer 31% Rayner 8% Streeting 4% Miliband 3% Cooper 3% Mahmood 1%

17:59

South Korea to join Japan's plan for Joint oil reserve, Nikkei reports

17:57

UK former health secretary Streeting set to attack Chancellor Reeves's record in major escalation of Labour in-fighting, The I Paper reports

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Head to heads:

Burnham 59% v Starmer 37%
Burnham 80% v Streeting 10%
Miliband 58% v Streeting 28%
Rayner 70% v Streeting 19%

On Keir Starmer, should he:

Take party into next election 28%
Remain as leader until closer to GE 33%
Step down no / in months 33%

YouGov polled 706 Labour members, May 14-18

Context

This shift may imply growing dissatisfaction with Starmer's leadership, raising questions about the party's direction and stability as it approaches the next election. A leadership change could impact electoral strategies and market sentiment around UK equities linked to political stability.

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