Labour Party Faces Internal Strains Amid Changing Political Landscape

Recent political developments have highlighted internal challenges for the Labour Party as new parties gain ground and opinion polls shift. These changes come as Labour holds a substantial parliamentary majority but faces calls for leadership adjustments.

In February 2026, the Green Party secured a parliamentary seat in Gorton and Denton, marking its first win in northern England. Hannah Spencer, the Green Party candidate, received more votes than both Labour and Reform UK candidates in the by-election. This result followed a period of increased competition from smaller parties across the country.

Labour’s internal dynamics have also shifted, with the Tribune group of over 100 Labour MPs urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reorganise his cabinet. The group called for the return of specific figures to help address ongoing disputes within the party. These requests were made as Labour continued to experience internal disagreements about its direction and leadership.

Leadership contests have further shaped the party’s structure. In October 2025, Lucy Powell was elected deputy leader, defeating Bridget Phillipson, who was supported by Starmer. The election saw a turnout of 16.6%, with Powell receiving more than 87,000 votes.

What the numbers show

• Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer won 14,980 votes in Gorton and Denton
• Lucy Powell received 87,407 votes in the deputy leadership election
• Labour held 404 seats in the House of Commons in early 2026
• Reform UK held 8 seats but led national opinion polls
• Labour’s parliamentary majority was 148 seats in late 2025

Opinion polls in December 2025 indicated that half of surveyed voters believed Starmer would be replaced as prime minister by the end of 2026. The poll reported that 31% of respondents answered “probably” and 19% answered “definitely” to this question. These figures reflected public perceptions of Labour’s leadership stability at the time.

Reform UK’s position in national opinion polls changed by early 2026, with the party leading ahead of both Labour and the Conservative Party. Despite this polling position, Reform UK held only eight seats in the House of Commons, while Labour maintained 404 seats. This contrast highlighted differences between parliamentary representation and public polling.

Labour’s parliamentary majority stood at 148 seats in late 2025, according to published data. This majority meant that Prime Minister Starmer was not required to call a general election until 2029. The party’s numerical advantage in Parliament remained substantial during this period.

The Green Party’s success in the Gorton and Denton by-election marked a new development for the party in northern England. This result added to the evolving political environment, as established parties responded to increased competition and calls for internal change.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.