Monday, 17 August 2026Europe · Analysis
Independent · Brussels & Berlin
Person
Professor of political science, University of Manchester
The Labour leader steps down less than two years after a 411-seat landslide, undone by a flawed ambassadorial appointment, policy reversals and a May local election drubbing that brought Andy Burnham to the brink of Number 10.
A scenario where Reform UK wins the most votes but Labour retains a Commons majority would expose first-past-the-post's distortions more starkly than 2024, campaigners argue.
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