Almost half of Britons believe the country should head straight back to the polls following Sir Keir Starmer’s dramatic resignation announcement, according to a new survey.
The findings will pile fresh pressure on Labour as the party races to install a new leader and Prime Minister, with Andy Burnham currently the overwhelming favourite to succeed Sir Keir in Downing Street.
A YouGov poll found that 48 per cent of Britons support holding a General Election, compared with 35 per cent who oppose one. A further 17 per cent said they were unsure.
The results echo demands from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who called for an immediate election within hours of Sir Keir revealing his timetable for stepping down.
Writing on Substack, Mr Farage claimed Labour would do everything possible to avoid returning to the electorate.
“This is how the uniparty operates,” he wrote.
“The truth is that they are frightened of us.”
He argued that Labour and the Conservatives had repeatedly worked together to prevent Reform UK making further gains and would seek to delay a national vote for as long as possible.
The polling reveals a sharp political divide.
An overwhelming 88 per cent of Reform supporters back a General Election, while 72 per cent of Conservative voters also want the country to return to the ballot box.
Among Labour supporters, however, 62 per cent oppose an election, with only around a quarter supporting one.
Liberal Democrat and Green Party voters are also more sceptical, although sizeable minorities in both camps would still favour an immediate vote.
The debate comes as Labour prepares for what could be one of the quickest leadership transitions in modern political history.
Burnham, who secured victory in the Makerfield by-election last week, appears to be on course to enter Downing Street with no confirmed challenger currently in the race.
Former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns has been linked to a possible leadership bid but has so far stopped short of declaring his intentions.
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has suggested a General Election should be considered if a future Burnham government cannot properly fund Britain’s defence needs.
“If Andy Burnham does not have any answers on national security, we should have a general election now,” she said.
Current voting intention figures underline why the question has become so politically explosive.
Reform UK leads the polls on 25 per cent, ahead of the Conservatives on 20 per cent and Labour on just 18 per cent.
With Labour changing leaders mid-term and public support for a fresh vote growing, pressure is likely to intensify over whether voters should be given the final say on who governs Britain next.
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