𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Sir Keir Starmer suffered a damning verdict from voters last night as Express readers branded him the worst Prime Minister of all time on the eve of his final PMQs. In a poll of Express.co.uk readers, 3,510 respondents — a crushing 75 % — answered “Yes” to the question: “Was Keir Starmer the worst PM of all time?” Just 1,105 said “No” and 80 were unsure, giving a total of 4,695 votes.

The humiliating result lands as the Labour leader prepares to face the Commons for the first time since his emotional Downing Street resignation announcement on Monday. With his premiership in its dying days, Downing Street has confirmed no “major” new policy decisions or spending pledges will be made before a new party leader is chosen. Sir Keir is expected to come under sustained fire at PMQs over the limited scope of what his caretaker government can now achieve. His likely successor, Andy Burnham, has already been offered government briefings to prepare for power after civil service access talks were authorised.

The pair met on Tuesday in what sources described as a “frosty” encounter away from No 10. Tensions are rising over the defence investment plan, which Sir Keir is determined to finalise before leaving office so he can present it at the NATO summit in Turkey on July 7.

The blueprint offers £14 billion in extra funding for the armed forces — well short of the £28 billion demanded by military chiefs.

Sir Keir sees it as key to his legacy, but Burnham’s allies and supporters of resigned Defence Secretary John Healey are urging him not to publish until the new leader is in place.

Talks are continuing over the shape of a potential Burnham cabinet, with senior figures including Louise Haigh, Ed Miliband, Shabana Mahmood and Wes Streeting tipped for top jobs. Former cabinet minister James Purnell is being lined up as a possible chief of staff.

Crossbench peer Jim O’Neill, advising Mr Burnham, has called for a new independent body modelled on the Office for Budget Responsibility to unlock extra infrastructure spending within fiscal rules.

While Burnham remains the clear favourite, former defence minister Al Carns has signalled he is “pretty serious” about a leadership bid and wants to see Burnham’s policies first.

Chief Secretary Darren Jones has ruled himself out, declaring Mr Burnham “is going to be the next prime minister.”

The Express poll reflects widespread frustration among readers with Sir Keir’s short and troubled time in No 10. As he limps towards the exit, the numbers paint a brutal picture of a premiership already judged harshly by the public.