Poll of Labour members shows Andy Burnham as preferred leader over Keir Starmer, with low support for Wes Streeting
A YouGov poll of 706 Labour members, conducted between 14 and 18 May 2026, indicates that 47% rank Andy Burnham as their first choice for party leader, compared to 31% for Keir Starmer. In a head-to-head contest, Burnham leads Wes Streeting 80% to 10%. Just 4% of members name Streeting as their preferred leader, and 28% believe Starmer should remain leader. The poll follows Streeting’s resignation as Health Secretary to challenge Starmer. Burnham, currently mayor of Greater Manchester, seeks selection as Labour candidate in the upcoming Makerfield by-election to return to Parliament. Labour’s National Executive Committee is currently shortlisting candidates for the by-election, with the writ expected to be moved in Parliament.
Sky News provides a more complete, transparent, and contextually grounded account of the event. Daily Mail emphasizes dramatic conflict and personal failure, using language that amplifies political tension without adding proportional factual depth.
- ✓ Both sources report the same YouGov poll of 706 Labour members conducted between 14–18 May 2026.
- ✓ Both agree that Andy Burnham is the first choice of 47% of Labour members for party leader.
- ✓ Both report Keir Starmer as second with 31% first-choice support.
- ✓ Both note low support for Wes Streeting: Daily Mail reports 15% would back him over Starmer; Sky News reports only 4% rank him as first choice.
- ✓ Both confirm the poll was the first since Streeting resigned as Health Secretary to challenge Starmer.
- ✓ Both sources acknowledge the Makerfield by-election as key to Burnham’s potential return to Parliament.
Framing of Wes Streeting’s role
Treats Streeting as a minor contender, noting only 4% first-choice support and 10% in head-to-head, but does not editorialize on his resignation.
Portrays Streeting as a failed challenger whose resignation was widely seen as a mistake (nearly 60% think he was wrong to resign).
Emphasis on poll results
Highlights Burnham’s 80% to 10% lead over Streeting and 47% first-choice support, centering Burnham as the main alternative.
Focuses on Streeting’s 15% support in a hypothetical contest with Starmer, downplaying Burnham’s stronger performance in head-to-head matchups.
Contextual detail
Provides detailed procedural context: NEC shortlisting, whips moving the writ, and timeline for by-election.
Mentions Burnham preparing for a by-election but does not detail selection process or parliamentary mechanics.
Headline focus
Headline emphasizes Burnham’s lead in leadership preference.
Headline centers on Streeting’s downfall.
Daily Mail
Framing: Daily Mail frames the event as a decisive rejection of Wes Streeting’s leadership ambitions and positions Andy Burnham as the dominant alternative to Keir Starmer. The narrative centers on Streeting’s failed challenge and Burnham’s strong support, portraying Starmer as vulnerable but still in office. The headline emphasizes Streeting’s weakness rather than Burnham’s strength, suggesting internal party unrest.
Tone: Sensationalist and judgmental, with a focus on political downfall and dramatic leadership conflict. The use of phrases like 'hopes... destroyed' and 'thrashed in a leadership contest' conveys a combative, tabloid-style tone.
Sensationalism: Headline uses emotionally charged language: 'hopes... destroyed' to dramatize Streeting’s polling deficit.
"Wes Streeting's hopes of becoming PM are destroyed"
Loaded Language: Describes Streeting’s resignation as setting 'the leadership hare running,' a metaphor implying recklessness or opportunism.
"set the leadership hare running"
Framing by Emphasis: Prioritizes Streeting’s failure (15% support) over broader leadership dynamics, despite Burnham’s higher numbers.
"Just 15% would pick him over Keir Starmer"
Cherry-Picking: Reports 47% support for Burnham but omits that in head-to-head with Streeting, Burnham wins 80%-10%—a more dramatic margin than highlighted.
"Andy Burnham, current mayor of Manchester and aspiring MP, was recorded as the first choice for leader by almost half the members"
Vague Attribution: Uses passive voice and unnamed sources: 'critics suggesting he had failed to gather enough support,' without specifying who.
"critics suggesting he had failed to gather enough support"
Sky News
Framing: Sky News presents the poll as a neutral indicator of shifting leadership preferences within Labour, centering Andy Burnham as the clear favorite while contextualizing the procedural hurdles he faces. The focus is on democratic process and institutional steps (e.g., NEC selection, by-election), rather than personal drama.
Tone: Measured and informative, with a focus on factual reporting and political process. The tone avoids overt judgment and emphasizes data and upcoming events.
Balanced Reporting: Presents poll data without editorializing; reports Burnham’s 47% and Starmer’s 31% as raw figures without hyperbolic commentary.
"Andy Burnham comes out the clear winner in a YouGov Labour members poll"
Proper Attribution: Clearly attributes data to YouGov and specifies sample size and dates: 'YouGov interviewed 706 Labour members from 14 to 18 May.'
"YouGov interviewed 706 Labour members from 14 to 18 May"
Comprehensive Sourcing: Includes context about Burnham’s path back to Parliament, NEC procedures, and parliamentary process for triggering the by-election.
"Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC), the ruling body, is meeting at midday today as a shortlist of candidates is drawn up"
Framing by Emphasis: Highlights Burnham’s broad appeal by citing 80% vs. Streeting in head-to-head, a stronger data point than Daily Mail uses.
"Burnham would win 80% against Streeting's 10%"
Editorializing: Minimal; avoids speculative language. Even quotes Starmer’s denial ('his premiership is not over') without endorsing or challenging it.
"the prime minister has insisted his premiership is not over"
Sky News
Provides full poll data, procedural context, source methodology, and balanced presentation of political developments. Includes details on NEC, by-election mechanics, and media appearances.
Daily Mail
Offers narrative depth on internal party sentiment but lacks procedural detail and omits key data (e.g., 80% head-to-head margin). Relies on sensational framing over comprehensive reporting.
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Wes Streeting's hopes of becoming PM are destroyed by Labour supporters: Just 15% would pick him over Keir Starmer – while the majority want Burnham, poll reveals