A leading political analyst has suggested that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is experiencing the “worst start” by a newly-elected Prime Minister “ever”. The government faced a setback on Tuesday, having to backtrack on significant elements of their proposed benefits system overhaul in the UK to prevent a backbench revolt, despite commanding a substantial majority in Parliament.
Have your say! Should Keir Starmer resign, and hand us yet another Prime Minister in this decade? Or is his plan for government sound? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
Polling guru and politics professor at Strathclyde University, Sir John Curtice, expressed to Times Radio on Monday that Labour has seen a “gradual erosion” of support following its resounding General Election victory in 2024. The government’s reputation has taken hits due to policy controversies such as the reduction and subsequent partial U-turn on the Winter Fuel Allowance scheme, and changes to inheritance tax, as reported by the Express.
In a conversation with Talk TV on Tuesday, Curtice remarked: “As compared with newly elected governments, this government saw its support fall more substantially and rapidly than any previously newly elected one. Of course, you do have to remember here a crucial point. This is a government that, despite that landslide majority, only got 35% of the vote. That is the lowest share of the vote ever won by any government with a majority.”
On Tuesday, the government faced defeat over a significant element of its plans to reduce costs for Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants. Internal Labour rebels criticised the proposals, saying they were being hastily pushed through and would only exacerbate the difficulties faced by those reliant on such payments.
The legislation was ultimately passed at its second reading, but not before significant concessions were made throughout the day to quell a potential historic revolt. This series of events has notably weakened the government’s hold over its own ranks.
As a consequence of these amendments, the anticipated savings from this policy have been considerably reduced, hinting at possible tax hikes or further cuts to public spending in the upcoming second Autumn Budget.
Conservative opposition leader Kemi Badenoch voiced strong criticism: “Labour’s welfare bill is now a TOTAL waste of time. It effectively saves £0, helps no one into work, and does NOT control spending.”
She continued her attack by saying, “It’s pointless. They should bin it, do their homework, and come back with something serious. Starmer cannot govern.”
Have your say! Should Keir Starmer resign, and hand us yet another Prime Minister in this decade? Or is his plan for government sound? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
