From leftwing voters to unions: can Burnham win back Labour bases lost by Starmer? – visualised
Summary
Keir Starmer’s Labour party won a large victory in the 2024 UK general election but lost much support during his time as prime minister. Andy Burnham is now Labour leader and is trying to regain support from trade unions and communities that moved away from Labour under Starmer. The article highlights challenges Burnham faces with unions and divided support among voters, including over the Israel-Palestine conflict.Key Facts
- Labour won 412 seats in 2024, close to its 1997 record under Tony Blair.
- Starmer's approval rating fell from -3 at the start to -66 by September 2025, the lowest since 1977.
- Union donations to Labour have steadily fallen over 20 years, reaching a low point in 2025.
- Starmer had conflicts with unions, including sacking MP Sam Tarry for supporting rail strikes.
- Unite union cut its donations to Labour by over half a million pounds in early 2025.
- Some unions criticize Labour’s net zero energy policies and support for employment rights bills has mixed reactions.
- Burnham met union leaders and spoke about more public control of essential services to regain support.
- Choosing a chancellor may cause tension among unions with different views on energy policies.
- The Israel-Palestine conflict remains a sensitive and divisive issue within Labour and its Muslim supporters.
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