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Andrew Neil has erupted at Sir Keir Starmer for being “cack-handed at politics” as the veteran commentator made a grave prediction for the beleaguered Prime Minister’s future. The Labour leader has come under intense pressure after his battle-worn Government performed a series of humiliating U-turns, with the latest being on inheritance tax changes for farmers.

Speculation has been rife that Sir Keir might be forced out of Downing Street by jittery Labour MPs, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner among the rumoured replacements. Bookmakers have already shortened their odds on the Prime Minister leaving Downing Street, with William Hill offering odds of 8/13 – a 62% chance – that he will quit in 2026. But in a dire prediction, political pundit Mr Neil told Times Radio: “I doubt Mr Starmer will be with us by the end of next year. I’m not sure he’ll even make it through the summer.”

It has been suggested that booting Sir Keir out of No 10 would help Nigel Farage’s chances of grabbing power, as Reform UK continues to soar in the polls.

But Mr Neil said of the PM: “He’s so cack-handed at politics. For him to even entertain: ‘Oh, if you get rid of me, it’ll be good news for Nigel Farage.’

“You never say that. If you’re leader, you say ‘there’s no possibility of anybody getting rid of me, I’m here to stay’.

“And by the way, why would it be any better for Nigel Farage? Keir Starmer is the most unpopular leader, one of the most in the world. His popularity ratings are even lower than Maduro’s were in Venezuela.

“So Farage is on top of the world with Starmer, and why would he want it to change?

“Starmer’s doing his best to get Reform in without Labour changing the leadership. I thought it was an insane point to make when you’re that unpopular.”  

The Prime Minister’s popularity plunged to new lows throughout 2025, with a YouGov poll in December giving him a net favourability rating of -54.

Just 18% of Britons have a positive view of him, the lowest recorded by the pollster to date, while 72% see him negatively.