Starmer Should Stay

0

Keir Starmer is perhaps the most unpopular Prime Minister in the history of British democracy.  On 12 November, Starmer opened himself up to a new leadership challenge in an attempt to reinstate his position as PM claiming he will contest any challenge to his leadership. Instead, this sent heads reeling between prominent Labour figures –  Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband and Andy Burnham. If people weren’t thinking it, they are now: is it time for a new PM?

It seems almost impossible to talk about the current Labour government without delving into a discussion of the Tories’ past. From 2019 to 2024, Britain had gone through 4 Prime Ministers, an unprecedented rate of succession. This has perhaps established a dangerous appetite in British Politics for switching party leaders when it feels like progress is not happening fast enough. The irony is, nothing slows progress like unstable leadership. Hindsight is a beautiful thing, for example we may look back and question whether Boris Johnson really was an improvement to Theresa May. If we have learnt anything from the Tory government, it is that a change in leadership does not always denote some radical improvement in politics. Sometimes a fresh face in party leadership is merely a cosmetic change. Recently the focus seems to be more on ‘party politics’, with running the country taking a backseat. Starmer pleas “judge me in the next Election.” I argue we should listen.

Sometimes a fresh face in party leadership is merely a cosmetic change.

It remains in question how much greener the grass would be under alternative Labour leadership. When John Major took over from Margaret Thatcher the media struggled to depict him – often presenting him as a grey, characterless man. Interestingly I wonder if in today’s media Farage isn’t playing a similar role in relation to Starmer. A YouGov poll showed 60% of all Britons are unclear on what Keir Starmer stands for. In barely a year of his term the Guardian is posting headlines like “Could Farage be the next Prime Minister?” the BBC musing “What a UK government lead by Reform would really look like.”  An interview with the Guardian went so low as to criticise Starmer on the nature of his sleep claiming “He doesn’t know what he dreamed last night – or ever: “I don’t dream.” Starmer certainly does not seem to have a natural knack for communication; however, the media has created an environment in which the search for PM becomes an ongoing sensationalised personality contest. Have we entered an era of politics where we boot out politicians who are not entertaining enough? Is this not perhaps the very root of some of our problems?

Contrary to national feeling, Starmer does seem to be faring better in the popularity contest abroad, with remarkable success in foreign policy. In May 2025, a trade deal was secured with the UK that reduced US tariffs on a quarter of UK exports. The deal remains crucial in preserving trade relations with the US. This success may well be due to Starmer’s “very good relationship” with Trump. This interestingly suggests Starmer understands ‘populist’ style politics however seems unwilling to engage with it at home. At a time where populism has become fashionable in politics, it could be tempting to adopt its strategies. However, Starmer appears clear on the dangers of making empty promises and painting untrue realities.

We are in an era of politics where the leadership’s ability to yield the media has become a new and perhaps essential skill. What is true seems to matter less than what feels promising. Unfortunately, Keir Starmer appears more focused on policy and does not seem distracted by the more superficial side of politics. This could be Starmer’s Achilles heel: he might not tell you what you want to hear but at least he is telling the truth. It’s unfortunate that this might cost him his leadership.

---