BRIAN READE: 'Starmer's time is up - he needs to agree a timetable to hand over'

BRIAN READE: 'Starmer's time is up - he needs to agree a timetable to hand over'After catastrophic local election results, Keir Starmer must now consider what the future holds for Labour, says Brian Reade, and he can't think of anyone better for the top job than Andy Burnham, 'a skilled political operator from outside the London millionaire bubble, who has the experience and the common touch'CommentsFeaturesopinionBrian Reade07:34, 09 May 2026View ImageStarmer is such a liability that even his allies privately concede he cannot lead them into the next election(Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire) Ten summers ago England were knocked out of the Euros by a country with more volcanoes than professional footballers. The loss to Iceland was a brutal humiliation. When, the next day, the befuddled Roy Hodgson who had been in charge of the shambles, was forced by the FA to do a press conference, his opening remark wrote the ­headlines: “I don’t really know what I’m doing here.” ‌ Keir Starmer didn’t quite say that yesterday after one of the darkest nights in Labour’s history, but those devastating local election results showed that the country clearly believes he doesn’t have a clue. And many within his own party. Hence keeping him away from the campaign trail for fear of turning off even more voters. ‌ Starmer’s allies seem to be offering two pitches now: “He may be deeply unpopular and unable to do anything but he’s going nowhere so people will have to get used to it” or “if we change leaders we’ll look like the Tories who everyone hated so much they put us in power. And look how that turned out.” Neither of which will wash. ‌ OPINIONBrian ReadeBRIAN READE: ‘Trump threw King Charles under the bus - we offer little that USA needs'Donald Trump