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Sir Keir Starmer has stated that reversing the country’s current trajectory will require sustained effort, urging voters to evaluate his performance at the next general election.
Speaking to the BBC, the Prime Minister acknowledged his government’s “good steps,” notably in addressing the cost-of-living crisis, but conceded that “more needs to be done.”
These remarks follow a challenging period for the PM, who has faced increasing scrutiny and speculation regarding a potential leadership challenge.
The government is also preparing for a difficult Budget announcement next week, with widespread expectations of tax increases from the Chancellor.
During an interview with the BBC’s Chris Mason in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he is attending the G20 summit, Sir Keir was questioned about recent opinion polls suggesting he is the most unpopular prime minister in modern polling history.
“We won an election last year on the manifesto that said we would change the country after 14 years of failure,” he stated.
“I always said that would take time because you can’t turn around 14 years of failure in just 12 months or 16 months.
“I’m very conscious that we have to deliver on three things above all else. The first is making sure people feel better off, and that’s bearing down on the cost-of-living, making sure the public services are better, in particular the NHS, which is why we put record investment in the NHS, and making sure people feel more safe and secure.
“And I have no doubt that I will rightly be judged against that at the next election.”
Sir Keir has affirmed his intention to lead Labour into the next general election, which is not scheduled until 2029, though he retains the option to call one sooner.
Last week, sources close to the Prime Minister informed journalists that he would resist any attempts by Labour MPs to oust him, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting among those alleged to be contemplating a leadership bid.
However, this effort to solidify Sir Keir’s position appears to have backfired, drawing attention to the discussions surrounding potential threats to his leadership and triggering further criticism.
Streeting has denied any plans to challenge Sir Keir and criticized a “toxic” culture within No. 10, while stating that he did not believe the briefings originated from the PM.
Sir Keir has maintained that the attacks against Streeting did not come from Downing Street.
Meanwhile, the PM has faced claims from the the Conservatives his government’s Budget is already unravelling, after the chancellor backed away from raising income tax rates – a move which would break an election pledge.
Asked if he was frustrated the achievements of his government were being “drowned out”, Sir Keir told the BBC: “Every minute that is spent talking about anything other than cost-of-living is a wasted minute in my book.”
The next significant test for Sir Keir will be in May, when Labour anticipates substantial losses in the Scottish, Welsh, and English local elections.
However, with the anticipation of a difficult Budget next week, speculation has arisen that a leadership challenge could occur sooner.
Any individual seeking to launch a leadership campaign would require the endorsement of at least 80 Labour MPs.
While only a small number of Labour MPs have publicly advocated for Sir Keir’s replacement, a greater number have privately expressed concerns about his leadership.
On Friday, Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome, aligned with the party’s left wing, joined Labour backbencher Clive Lewis in calling for a new leader.
“Even if Keir Starmer had a radical change of direction, I don’t think people would believe him. And I don’t think people around him would allow that to happen,” she said in an interview with former Labour candidate Ali Milani.
“So I think there has to be a change in leadership, a change in personnel, of the people in Number 10, and a completely different direction for the party.”
Earlier this week Rachael Maskell, recently readmitted to Labour’s parliamentary party after a four-month suspension for rebelling against proposed welfare cuts, suggested the PM should consider his position if next week’s Budget is unsuccessful.
“Ultimately, the prime minister needs to look in the mirror and say ‘Do I have the skills at this particular time in our history to lead the Labour Party?’,” the Labour MP for York Central told LBC.
Challenged over her comments and whether he was the right man to lead the country, Sir Keir said he had proven his doubters wrong in the past by changing the Labour Party and winning a landslide election victory last year.
“Now people will say to me, ‘It’s not possible to change the country for the better.’ I say it is,” he told the BBC.
“I’m optimistic about the future of our country and I know that we can turn it around after 14 years of failure under the Conservatives.”
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