A bombshell new poll has seen a nine-point swing in Labour’s favour as they close in on Reform.
It’s been quite the week in Westminster. This time last week, Andy Burnham wasn’t even an MP and Keir Starmer seemed determined to fight any possible challenges to his leadership.
But now, Starmer has announced he is stepping down as Labour leader and Burnham seems set for a full-blown coronation as the next prime minister, with his party seemingly happy to let him be uncontested in a leadership contest.
Earlier this week, More in Common carried out polling asking people who they would vote for if Burnham was leader of the Labour Party.
The results were stark, with Labour edging one point ahead of Reform. Of course, there’s only so much that can be read into this theoretical poll.
Now though, some much more concrete data has come through.
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Find Out Now have carried out one of the first major voting intention polls since Starmer’s resignation – and it’s thrown up some stunning results.
Reform saw a three point drop in support, leaving them on 24%. This is comparable with earlier this year, when the party saw a widespread polling slump.
The real headline is in Labour’s support. They saw a huge six point bounce compared to Find Out Now’s last polling just seven days ago, and leaves them just three points behind Nigel Farage’s men.
Whilst Burnham isn’t Labour leader yet, it’s difficult not to put this polling surge down to the fact he seems all-but-certain to step into Starmer’s shoes.
Dare we call it a Burnham bounce?
Perhaps the most significant part of the polling is who has carried it out though. Find Out Now have traditionally had Reform on a higher level of support than other pollsters and Labour on a lower level of support.
In fact, this is the first time Labour have polled at 20% or more with Find Out Now since August last year.
The polling is the latest evidence that many in Labour will point to to explain why they believe Burnham is the man to lead them forward.
Along with the aforementioned More in Common polling, the bookies also reckon Labour are stronger if Burnham becomes leader.
They have slashed their odds on Labour to win the most seats at the next general election.