Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the UK’s Labour Party, has expressed sympathy for Keir Starmer as the current leader faces mounting pressure within his own party. In a rare moment of candor, Corbyn admitted that he feels sorry for Starmer, describing the ordeal as a deeply personal and devastating experience.

“Yeah, I do feel [sorry for him],” Corbyn said, pausing slightly before adding, “On a personal level it must be devastating. It is a horrible feeling. You suddenly realise that this person doesn’t trust you at all and really doesn’t wish you well at all, and you suddenly realise that any trust that was there actually disappears.”

This blunt assessment from Corbyn, who survived a brutal 2016 coup attempt that nearly ended his leadership, provides a stark contrast to the current challenges facing Starmer. Corbyn’s comments come as Labour MPs increasingly question Starmer’s direction, with some calling for greater internal democracy and others pushing for a return to the party’s traditional left-wing policies.

Labour’s 2016 coup: How Corbyn survived

In June 2016, Jeremy Corbyn faced a mass resignation of shadow cabinet members and a no-confidence vote from 172 Labour MPs, just nine months after he led the party to a general election defeat. The rebellion was triggered by Corbyn’s perceived weak stance on Brexit and his inability to unite the parliamentary party. MPs submitted letters of no confidence, while social media erupted with condemnations from colleagues who had once supported him.

Corbyn refused to resign, arguing that he had been elected by Labour members, not MPs. He survived the subsequent leadership challenge from Owen Smith, winning re-election with 61.8% of the vote in a direct contest with party members. The episode left deep scars on both Corbyn and the Labour Party, fracturing relationships that have yet to fully heal.

Starmer’s leadership under fire

Keir Starmer, who succeeded Corbyn in 2020, has faced growing criticism from Labour’s left wing, who argue that his leadership has moved the party too far from its socialist roots. Starmer’s push for electability—focusing on competence over ideology—has alienated some traditional supporters while failing to win over swing voters in key constituencies. Recent polls show Labour’s lead over the Conservatives narrowing, fueling concerns about Starmer’s ability to secure a general election victory.

Labour MPs have begun openly questioning Starmer’s strategy, with some calling for a shift in policy direction. The party’s internal tensions were on display during recent debates over housing, taxation, and public spending, where left-wing MPs clashed with Starmer’s more centrist approach. The growing discontent has raised questions about whether Starmer’s leadership could face a similar challenge to the one Corbyn endured.

Who could replace Starmer?

Speculation about Starmer’s future has intensified, with several names floated as potential successors. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves is seen as a frontrunner among centrist Labour MPs, though her ties to Starmer’s economic policies may limit her appeal. On the left, former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and former Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey remain influential figures, though neither has indicated a desire to lead the party into another election defeat.

Other names include London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has built a strong base in the party but faces criticism for his handling of London’s policing and housing crises. Angela Rayner, the current Deputy Leader, is also considered a potential successor, though her recent health issues have added uncertainty to her political future. The next Labour leader will likely emerge from a bitter internal battle, mirroring the divisions that have plagued the party for nearly a decade.

The broader implications of Starmer’s struggles extend beyond Labour’s internal politics. With a general election looming, the party’s ability to present a united front is critical. If Starmer is forced out, the resulting leadership contest could further divide Labour, making it even harder to challenge the Conservatives for power. Corbyn’s remarks serve as a reminder of the personal toll such battles take, not just on leaders but on the party as a whole.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: The Guardian
  • Published: May 16, 2026 at 09:49 UTC
  • Category: Politics
  • Topics: #guardian · #politics · #war · #nato · #military

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 16, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

Num momento em que a política britânica vive um dos seus períodos mais turbulentos desde os anos 1980, o ex-líder trabalhista Jeremy Corbyn não poupou críticas ao atual primeiro-ministro Keir Starmer, classificando sua situação como “devastadora” diante das crises internas no Partido Trabalhista. Em entrevista ao The Guardian, Corbyn não apenas analisou as tensões dentro da legenda, mas também questionou a gestão de Starmer, sugerindo que a falta de coesão partidária pode minar não só o futuro do Labour, mas também a estabilidade política do Reino Unido.

O contexto é especialmente relevante para o Brasil porque, embora as dinâmicas partidárias do Reino Unido sejam distintas das nossas, o tema da divisão interna em partidos de esquerda — com suas consequências eleitorais e de imagem pública — ressoa fortemente em um momento em que o PT e outras forças progressistas brasileiras buscam se reerguer após derrotas recentes. Além disso, a crítica de Corbyn a Starmer ecoa entre analistas políticos brasileiros, que frequentemente discutem como lideranças moderadas podem alienar bases históricas, como aconteceu recentemente com figuras como Lula e Dilma nos seus governos. A entrevista ainda joga luz sobre um fenômeno global: a dificuldade de partidos de esquerda em conciliar reformas pragmáticas com a fidelidade a princípios ideológicos.

Com a aproximação das eleições britânicas, as palavras de Corbyn podem servir de alerta para as estratégias do Labour — e, indiretamente, para as lições que a esquerda brasileira deve ou não aprender.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

La inesperada crítica de Jeremy Corbyn al liderazgo de Keir Starmer ha sacudido los cimientos del Partido Laborista, revelando una fractura interna que amenaza con redefinir el futuro político de la izquierda británica. En declaraciones que han resonado en los medios internacionales, el exlíder laborista no solo cuestionó la gestión de Starmer, sino que describió su situación como “devastadora”, un término inusual en el frágil equilibrio de la política británica.

El conflicto entre ambos dirigentes no es casual, sino el reflejo de tensiones históricas dentro del laborismo: mientras Starmer representa una línea más moderada y centrista, Corbyn encarna la ala más progresista, heredera del movimiento que impulsó al partido hacia la izquierda en 2015. La relevancia de este enfrentamiento trasciende las fronteras del Reino Unido, ya que pone de manifiesto las divisiones que aquejan a la izquierda europea ante el auge de la derecha y los desafíos económicos globales. Para los hispanohablantes, este episodio sirve como advertencia sobre los riesgos de la polarización interna en los partidos progresistas, un tema que resuena en contextos como el español, donde formaciones como Podemos han enfrentado tensiones similares.