Douglas Murray Claims Starmer’s Leadership Crisis Was Inevitable After Labour’s Stunning By-Election Collapse
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing growing scrutiny after a major political shock that has reignited questions about his authority, strategic judgment, and long-term survival as leader of the Labour government.
Commentator Douglas Murray has described the situation surrounding Starmer’s leadership as an “omnishambles,” arguing that recent events represent not bad luck, but the predictable outcome of placing the wrong figure at the head of government during a critical moment in Britain’s political trajectory.
The controversy follows Labour’s defeat in the Gorton and Denton by-election on 27 February 2026, an election result that stunned political observers and signaled a major collapse in Labour’s support base less than two years after its landslide victory in the 2024 general election.
The by-election delivered a historic breakthrough for the Green Party, which won its first parliamentary by-election. Reform UK also performed strongly, while Labour — the governing party — fell to third place in a constituency that had previously been regarded as one of its safest seats.
According to the result cited in Murray’s commentary, the Greens won with 41%, Reform UK came second with 29%, and Labour secured only 26% of the vote.
A collapse in Labour’s “safe territory”
In the 2024 general election, Labour had secured more than 50% of the vote in the constituency, holding a commanding majority. For a party in government to lose such a seat so dramatically has intensified speculation that Labour’s coalition of support may be fracturing.
Murray argued that the result was not simply a local issue but a symbolic turning point, demonstrating how rapidly Labour’s support has weakened under Starmer’s leadership.
The loss has also raised questions about the Labour Party’s internal decision-making, particularly the process used to select candidates and manage internal competition.
Starmer accused of blocking Andy Burnham
One of the most damaging accusations highlighted in Murray’s analysis involves Starmer’s alleged decision to block Andy Burnham — the mayor of Greater Manchester — from standing in the by-election.
Burnham, a prominent Labour figure with a strong local profile, was seen by some as a candidate capable of holding the seat through personal popularity and regional influence. Murray claimed that Starmer’s inner circle feared Burnham could emerge as a rival and therefore used Labour’s National Executive Committee to veto him.
