𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A green industrialist who is one of Labour’s biggest donors has said he thinks Sir Keir Starmer should remain prime minister. Dale Vince said there should not be a leadership contest, that he backs the embattled PM to finish the job he started and to deliver the manifesto he was elected on.

In further remarks posted on social media on Saturday (May 16), Mr Vince said: “Yes, things have been tough. Yes, he’s made mistakes… The background in the world with Trump 2.0, the Iran war, all that kind of stuff, hasn’t helped, but our economy grew very strongly in the 1st quarter, and that news was out just this week, yesterday, and things aren’t that bad. But it’s been painted that way.”

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the economy recorded its strongest quarterly growth in a year for the first three months of 2026, increasing by 0.6%.

Mr Vince’s comments came towards the end of a bruising week for the Prime Minister, who faces a potential leadership challenge after disastrous local election results for the Labour Party.

The founder of renewable energy firm Ecotricity told the Telegraph he would be willing to donate to Sir Keir’s campaign should there be a leadership contest.

He told the publication: “I still hope there won’t be a leadership contest. If there is, it’s probable that Keir will stand himself and in which case, I’d be in his camp.

“What we need now is continuity. We need Labour to deliver on their manifesto. We haven’t even been two years into this Government.”

The prospect of a leadership challenge to Sir Keir moved closer on Friday after Andy Burnham was cleared to run for selection in the Makerfield by-election.

Greater Manchester’s mayor is seeking to replace Josh Simons, who is standing down as an MP, to make way for Mr Burnham to return to Parliament.

Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), has granted Mr Burnham permission to stand in the selection process.

Under Labour rules, Sir Keir’s name would automatically appear on the ballot paper. Downing Street has insisted the PM will fight any effort to oust him.

An unnamed Cabinet minister loyal to Sir Keir described the Prime Minister as much less categorical about his future in private, telling The Telegraph he was keeping “all options” open.

Mr Vince said he would not back Energy Secretary Ed Miliband or former Wes Streeting, who resigned as Health Secretary on Thursday (May 14).

He also did not commit to either Angela Rayner or Mr Burnham, saying he was “agnostic” about their merits as a future prime minister.

The businessman reportedly donated £5million to the Labour Party before the 2024 general election.