More than half of Britons would support a new law mandating a General Election if a governing party changes its leader mid-term, according to a poll conducted following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's announcement that he would step down. The Ipsos survey of 1,000 Britons found that 55 percent of the public would back such a legislative change.
This sentiment is particularly strong among specific voter groups, with three-quarters of Conservative voters and 83 percent of Reform UK supporters indicating they would favor a mandatory election. Only 1 in 5 of the overall electorate expressed opposition to the idea.
The findings emerge as the Labour party faces calls to trigger an early election. Home Office minister Mike Tapp has also voiced support for a legal amendment to guarantee a general election if a prime minister is forced out prematurely. The sentiment has been echoed by figures like Nigel Farage, who has called for an election at the earliest opportunity, questioning the mandate of any new leader who enters Downing Street without a public vote.
The poll also highlights a sense of disillusionment among the British electorate, with the country preparing for its seventh prime minister in ten years. Half of those surveyed expressed concern that the UK is becoming 'ungovernable', regardless of who holds power.
Among those who view Britain as ungovernable, nearly 90 percent attribute a significant amount of responsibility to political parties and politicians. The public also assigns responsibility to the media (84 percent), global events (73 percent), and the British public's own 'unrealistic expectations' of their leaders (59 percent).
The public mood surrounding a new prime minister is characterized more by apathy than optimism, with 38 percent of people believing a new leader will make no difference to the country's overall state. Additionally, over half of respondents expect no personal impact from a new leader, and 56 percent anticipate little change in their local areas.
These low expectations align with the public's appraisal of Sir Keir Starmer's tenure as Prime Minister, with 57 percent of the public believing he did a 'bad job.'
Gideon Skinner, senior director of politics at Ipsos, noted, "While Keir Starmer's legacy as PM is viewed negatively, the immediate public reaction has not been a surge of optimism for a fresh start. Rather the mood is more reserved, with many expecting a new leader to deliver little tangible difference to their bank accounts, their local streets, or the state of public services."
Within the Labour party, discussions are ongoing regarding the potential for an early election. Some backbenchers, like Mary Glindon, have warned that the party could be perceived as 'hypocrites' if an election is not called. However, a spokesman for Andy Burnham has previously ruled out the possibility of him calling an early election if he were to become Prime Minister, suggesting a potential continuation of government until the next general election in 2029.