At Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, television presenter Carol Vorderman shook the room with fiery criticism of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The former Countdown star didn’t hold back, declaring that Starmer “will never be voted in as Prime Minister again” unless Labour changes its leader.
Her frustration came after what she described as a deeply disappointing first year of Labour in government.
Vorderman accused the party of mishandling policies, making poor appointments, and falling into the same traps of “sleaze” that plagued the Tories.
Freebies, Fuel Cuts, and the Mandelson Controversy
Vorderman’s sharpest attacks focused on three key issues: the winter fuel payment cuts, the “freebiegate” row, and the scandal around Lord Mandelson.
While she admitted she wasn’t personally against the principle of means-testing the fuel allowance, she slammed the drastic scale of the cuts, calling them “nuts” for excluding millions of pensioners overnight.
She also hit out at ministers for accepting lavish gifts from donors, and described Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the U.S. as a “disgrace”—a move she believed damaged public trust in Labour.
Praise for Andy Burnham and Speculation About a Leadership Challenge
In contrast, Vorderman reserved warm words for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, praising his leadership style and hinting that he might be a more fitting choice for Labour’s future.
Her remarks coincided with a YouGov poll showing that Labour members would prefer Burnham over Starmer by a margin of two to one if a contest were held today.
The poll revealed growing dissatisfaction among members, with over a third saying they no longer view Starmer as a good Prime Minister.
Burnham Backs Away from Leadership Talk
Despite the buzz around him, Burnham publicly played down suggestions he was preparing to challenge Starmer.
Speaking at a separate fringe event, he insisted that Sir Keir remained the right person to lead Labour.
Burnham dismissed claims that he was “out for himself” and argued his proposals on housing and taxation were misrepresented.
He also defended his record in Greater Manchester, insisting it proved his ability to run things responsibly.
However, the speculation has not gone away, especially after Chancellor Rachel Reeves compared his borrowing proposals to Liz Truss’s disastrous economic plans.
Vorderman’s Long-Running Criticism of Politics
This isn’t the first time Vorderman has waded into political battles.
She was a vocal critic of the Conservatives before the last election and even fronted a tactical voting campaign aimed at ousting Tory MPs.
Her strong words at Labour’s conference—branding the Tories “scum” and accusing Labour of sliding into similar scandals—show she remains unafraid of calling out any party she believes is letting the public down.
Polling Trouble for Starmer
Beyond the celebrity criticism, Labour faces a much larger challenge: tumbling poll ratings.
Surveys show Reform UK gaining ground, while Starmer’s personal approval has sunk to record lows.
Professor John Curtice, one of Britain’s most respected election experts, delivered a grim warning at the same conference.
He argued that Starmer had failed to define himself to voters, who still don’t know what he truly stands for.
Using a vivid analogy, Curtice said Starmer had positioned himself as a “friendly local plumber” fixing leaks, when what voters wanted was a visionary “architect.”
Without clarity of vision, Curtice suggested, Labour could struggle to hold power—unless drastic changes are made.
The Big Question: Can Labour Recover?
The mood in Liverpool made one thing clear: doubts about Starmer’s leadership are growing louder both inside and outside the party.
Vorderman believes Labour can only stay in government if it swaps leaders, while Burnham insists he’s not making a move—at least for now.
But with voters still uncertain about who Starmer really is, and with Labour’s standing slipping, the question remains: will the party gamble on sticking with its current leader, or will internal pressure push it toward change?