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Harry Farley outside 10 Downing Street

Labour’s 2024 Defeat in Greater Manchester Shakes Sir Keir Starmer’s Leadership

Green Party Surge Pushes Labour to Third Place

The 2024 election delivered a stunning blow to Labour in Greater Manchester, where the party, once dominant with over 50% of the vote, plummeted to third place. This dramatic shift not only signals changing political tides but also leaves Sir Keir Starmer‘s leadership vulnerable to intense scrutiny and internal challenges.

Harry Farley outside 10 Downing Street
Harry Farley outside 10 Downing Street

The rise of the Green Party in this key seat illustrates a growing appetite for alternative voices, reshaping the political landscape in a region Labour long considered a stronghold. Voters’ shifting loyalties underscore the urgency for Labour to reassess its strategy if it aims to regain lost ground.

Labour MP Louise Haigh
Labour MP Louise Haigh
A dark ballot box with yellow tags.
A dark ballot box with yellow tags.
An aerial view of Swindon's magic roundabout, which is made up of five mini roundabouts, above a profile shot of BBC reporters Marie Lennon. She has short, dark brown hair and is wearing a blue vest with a long-sleeved white top underneath.
An aerial view of Swindon’s magic roundabout, which is made up of five mini roundabouts, above a profile shot of BBC reporters Marie Lennon. She has short, dark brown hair and is wearing a blue vest with a long-sleeved white top underneath.
Splitscreen. Left, Charles and Trump in the Oval Office. Right, Sarah Smith.
Splitscreen. Left, Charles and Trump in the Oval Office. Right, Sarah Smith.
Helen Jenner, who is seen wearing a green jumper
Helen Jenner, who is seen wearing a green jumper
Protesters holding up placards with Keir Starmer's face  printed on them being held back by police in  Golders Green today 3oth April 2026
Protesters holding up placards with Keir Starmer’s face printed on them being held back by police in Golders Green today 3oth April 2026
Zack Polanski
Zack Polanski
Morgan McSweeney wearing a suit, giving evidence to Foreign Affairs select committee
Morgan McSweeney wearing a suit, giving evidence to Foreign Affairs select committee
Split screen. Donald Trump and King Charles III are pictured.
Split screen. Donald Trump and King Charles III are pictured.
A split screen with Sarah Smith on the left and Donald Trump on the right.
A split screen with Sarah Smith on the left and Donald Trump on the right.
Sir Olly Robbins
Sir Olly Robbins
Keir Starmer in Commons
Keir Starmer in Commons
Keir and Starmer pictured together talking outside in Scotland in July 2025
Keir and Starmer pictured together talking outside in Scotland in July 2025
A reporter looks at the camera while talking. She is wearing a brown t-shirt and has short brown hair. There is a circular image of a person placing a ballot paper into a ballot box inset in the picture.
A reporter looks at the camera while talking. She is wearing a brown t-shirt and has short brown hair. There is a circular image of a person placing a ballot paper into a ballot box inset in the picture.
Chris Mason in front of Big Ben
Chris Mason in front of Big Ben
A woman sits in a purple radio studio
A woman sits in a purple radio studio
Woman opening a front door to a house
Woman opening a front door to a house
Mike Tapp
Mike Tapp
Emily Thornberry
Emily Thornberry
Hannah Spencer at lectern smiling
Hannah Spencer at lectern smiling
Close up of Hannah Spencer as she  delivers speech after winning by-election. She is wearing pink and green.
Close up of Hannah Spencer as she delivers speech after winning by-election. She is wearing pink and green.
Peter Mandelson being arrested
Peter Mandelson being arrested
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen in the BBC Tees studio
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen in the BBC Tees studio
Zack Polanski at the SWLK studio, looks to his right
Zack Polanski at the SWLK studio, looks to his right
Keir Starmer in front of a union jack flag
Keir Starmer in front of a union jack flag
Jenrick wears a suit and a light blue tie as he looks at a person off-camera.
Jenrick wears a suit and a light blue tie as he looks at a person off-camera.
Composite image of Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch both in the Commons during PMQs
Composite image of Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch both in the Commons during PMQs
Andy Burnham wearing white shirt and black blazer
Andy Burnham wearing white shirt and black blazer
Nigel Farage with arms aloft in Commons, surrounded by seated Lib Dem MPs
Nigel Farage with arms aloft in Commons, surrounded by seated Lib Dem MPs
Tom Tugendhat in Commons
Tom Tugendhat in Commons
Kemi Badenoch on stage and Tory party conference (left) Crowd giving her a standing ovation (right)
Kemi Badenoch on stage and Tory party conference (left) Crowd giving her a standing ovation (right)
A split screen image of Kemi Badenoch on the left and a row of empty seats on the right.
A split screen image of Kemi Badenoch on the left and a row of empty seats on the right.
Kemi Badenoch
Kemi Badenoch
Green Party leader Zack Polanski speaking during the Green Party conference
Green Party leader Zack Polanski speaking during the Green Party conference
Starmer speaks at a podium in front of a red wall, with people waving Union Jacks in the crowd
Starmer speaks at a podium in front of a red wall, with people waving Union Jacks in the crowd
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