Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, has publicly defended Sir Keir Starmer, stating there is "no credible alternative" Prime Minister. This comes amid reports of discontent within the Labour party, with some backbenchers allegedly considering ousting Starmer if the upcoming local elections in May are unfavorable. Reeves emphasized that she and Starmer have a clear strategy to improve the economy, highlighting recent government actions such as reducing the cost of living, cutting energy bills, and lowering rail fares.
The Labour party and Starmer personally have seen a decline in poll numbers, largely attributed to a series of significant policy U-turns. The most recent backtrack involved mandatory ID cards, which will now be voluntary. Similar reversals have occurred regarding pub tax hikes and digital ID proposals, leading to internal party criticism and even jokes among Cabinet ministers about Starmer's perceived inability to maintain consistent policies. Despite these challenges, Reeves expressed confidence in their plans and reassured that the "Starmer-Reeves duo" is stable.
The article also touches upon internal party dynamics, including a defense of civil servants by Health Secretary Wes Streeting against criticism from within Labour, including Starmer himself. Streeting warned against echoing Tory rhetoric about "stakeholder capture," suggesting such attacks could undermine the party's perceived ability to enact change. Starmer has previously expressed frustration with the slow pace of government reform and has vowed to remain Prime Minister in 2027, arguing against frequent leadership changes. He remains confident that 2026 will bring noticeable positive change for Britons and anticipates winning the next general election.