Jump to contentAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleLeading polling experts say the initial surge in support that Labour received after Andy Burnham became prime minister has ended, warning against calling an early general election. Professor Sir John Curtice and Lord Robert Hayward noted that Labour's poll ratings have stalled in the mid-20s, significantly below the 32 per cent achieved in the 2024 general election. Experts suggest the brief polling boost was a standard response to replacing Sir Keir Starmer, alongside temporary dips in support for Reform UK and the Green Party. Pollsters note that Labour and Reform UK remain closely matched, with Labour needing a sustained double-digit lead before considering a return to the ballot box. The findings come as Mr Burnham prepares to address MPs to outline wider economic policies, including increased public control of key utilities, ahead of the October Budget. In full‘Burnham bounce’ is over, pollsters warnMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Alan Johnson, the former home secretary, said the new Prime Minister should prove his new policies are popular and a break from the Starmer era by holding a vote in 2027.

Exclusive: Polling experts say the boost Labour received from changing prime minister is not enough to win a general election