SIR Keir Starmer has lost the trust of Brits and might not ever get it back, Lord Mandelson claimed yesterday.
The ousted Ambassador to the US hit out at the PM and Chancellor Rachel Reeves for failing on the economy, which he warned was a “litmust test” for any government.
Lord Mandelson was fired from his top diplomatic post last September after emails emerged showing his continued friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Writing in the Spectator the former New Labour Cabinet Minister said: “Economic performance is becoming the litmus test of Starmer’s Government and, on current indicators, economic recovery and public trust are looking hard to win back.”
This week, Sir Keir plummeted to his lowest approval rating yet while Labour stagnated in third place in the polls.
Mr Mandelson’s comments are more bad news for the PM, after it emerged he has been warned not to block a Commons return for Andy Burnham after a Labour MP quit, opening the door for a leadership challenge.
Left-wing supporters of the Mayor of Greater Manchester said it would be a “democratic outrage” if he is stopped from standing.
It came about after shamed former minister Andrew Gwynne resigned his Gorton and Denton seat on health grounds.
He had been sitting as an Independent MP after being sacked over offensive WhatsApp messages.
It has triggered a by-election that could coincide with the local elections on May 7.
Mr Burnham, who has been Mayor since 2017, has long been linked to a Westminster comeback — and a leadership challenge if Sir Keir continues to suffer dire polling.
