Business owners call on Keir Starmer to go: "The only coup that matters now is public confidence, and that’s already gone"

BUSINESS owners have called on Keir Starmer to go – as they say "the only coup that matters now is public confidence, and that’s already gone".

Widespread reports suggest that Starmer is under pressure as Prime Minister.

Downing Street has launched an operation to protect Starmer amid fears among his closest allies that he could be subject to a leadership challenge in the wake of the Budget this month.

He would fight to retain the leadership if he is challenged, Starmer’s most senior political aides insist.

A challenge could come immediately after the Budget or following defeat at the May local elections.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is reportedly planning an imminent coup against the prime minister – though he has denied this.

Business owners and financial experts urged Starmer to go.

Kate Allen, Owner at Kingsbridge-based Finest Stays, said: "Keir Starmer the electorate harmer. The Budget will come and the drums of doom will roll, but who is really prepared to raise their head above the parapet with genuine political nous, leading a party at war with itself?"

Darryl Dhoffer, Founder at Bedford-based The Mortgage Geezer, said he expects Starmer is already thinking of leaving.

He continued: "Whispers from the Government's Back Bench jungle drums suggest a putsch is brewing. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer, fresh from a Karate Kid marathon and perfecting his nunchaku skills, seems poised and ready to sweep the leg.

"Personally I think the P45 has already been drafted and will be issued after the budget."

Ben Perks, Managing Director at Stourbridge-based Orchard Financial Advisers, said knives are out for Starmer.

He added: "From teirs to tears? Will Keir have the dignity to fall on his sword if he breaks his manifesto promise regarding income tax? I don’t think so. If the PM or the chancellor resign following the Budget we could see the sort of market turmoil that was last created by Truss’ catastrophic Budget. 

“Like it or not, the PM will be having Christmas dinner at Number 10. Besides, who do Labour have to replace him!”

Patricia McGirr, Founder at Burnley-based Repossession Rescue Network, said Labour has just not kept its promises.

She continued: "The manifesto on which Labour was elected lies in tatters; a tissue of lies for an electorate deceived into believing real change had come. Along with it, goes the credibility of the Prime Minister. 

“Sir Keir hasn’t just lost his party, he’s lost the country. If Labour’s idea of positive change was to govern by control, not conviction, then they’ve nailed it; but that’s not what people voted for. Voters want renewal, not a regime. The only coup that matters now is public confidence, and that’s already gone.”

Luke James, Tax Director at Gravitate Accounting, said a change in leadership may be needed to restore business confidence.

He added: “The 2024 Budget introduced a sharp rise in Employers National Insurance, a body blow to UK businesses already struggling with prolonged inflation and weak consumer demand. These soaring employment costs, and lower overall confidence in the economy, have forced many UK firms to pause or delay investment, while straining cashflows and raising insolvency risk across entire supply chains. 

"The economic knock-on effect of these conditions could be a disaster, so it is no surprise at all that unemployment recently reached 5%. Jump forward to where we are now, and the Autumn 2025 budget is forecast to be just as painful and could trigger a prolonged drag on growth. 

"The compounding effects of these policies suggest it may indeed be time for a change in leadership to restore business confidence and economic momentum. The obvious question is who that leader should be.”

Tony Redondo, Founder at Newquay-based Cosmos Currency Exchange, said Labour and Starmer do have time to turn around their fortunes.

He continued: "Keir Starmer led Labour to its first election win in 15 years just 16 months ago, securing a majority of 174 seats, now down to 156 after suspensions. The pressure he faces stems largely from Labour slipping to 4th in some polls amid widespread bad news and missteps that alienated pensioners, farmers, and the business sector among many other sectors of the population. 

"What may save Starmer is the party's internal divisions and no clear alternative leader. With the next election not due until 2029, he has time to recover but must show clear progress on economic growth, public service investment, and social care reform while maintaining fiscal responsibility. 

“Labour also needs to rebuild its electoral coalition by balancing immigration and welfare concerns across its factions and become more visible in campaigns with concrete policy milestones to regain voter confidence.”

Colette Mason, Author & AI Consultant at London-based Clever Clogs AI, said ousting Starmer would just cause more instability.

She added: "I'm not convinced that repeatedly ousting prime ministers mid-term serves stability. Johnson, Truss, now Starmer. This relentless churn undermines any attempt at long-term vision and leaves the nation mired in uncertainty whilst Westminster obsesses over internal battles. 

"We cannot afford more factions, more ‘celebrity traitor’ conclaves playing Westminster power games whilst the public looks on. The electorate has had enough of being ignored. Three million signatures on the ID card debacle exemplifies this perfectly. 

"Dismissing that scale of concern breeds deeper alienation and resentment. Offering dubious justifications about solving immigration doesn't resolve the issue. It compounds it. Leadership means more than simply holding the title. It requires actually listening to the electorate you're meant to represent."