Starmer boasts of ‘real sense of pride’ at marking first year in power… as he faces biggest Labour revolt yet, Channel boats hit grim new record, and taxes are set to rise AGAIN
Keir Starmer boasted of his ‘real sense of pride and achievement’ at marking his first year in power today – despite being engulfed in crisis on multiple fronts.
The PM ‘reflected’ on the looming anniversary of his July 4 election landslide as he gathered Cabinet.
However, Sir Keir’s upbeat tone came as the government looks down the barrel of its biggest revolt yet, with dozens of MPs preparing to vote against benefits reforms tonight.
He was reportedly forced to issue a warning at the meeting that briefing against his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney must stop.
Channel migrants have already hit 20,000 this year, the earliest the tally has been reached.
Meanwhile, there are mounting fears that Rachel Reeves will have to hike taxes again this Autumn as the economy stalls and angry MPs force U-turns wrecking her plans to balance the books.
Polls have shown the government’s popularity nosediving since securing one of the biggest majorities in modern UK politics.
Nigel Farage’s Reform are now enjoying a clear advantage in support, with panic rising in Labour circles about Sir Keir’s leadership.
London and Manchester Mayors Sadiq Khan and Andy Burnham are said to be on manoeuvres, while Angela Rayner’s allies are also talking up her credentials.
Keir Starmer boasted of his ‘real sense of pride and achievement’ at marking his first year in power today – despite being engulfed in crisis on multiple fronts
London and Manchester Mayors Sadiq Khan and Andy Burnham are said to be on manoeuvres, while Angela Rayner’s allies are also talking up her credentials
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has been trying to quell Labour unrest on benefits
The premier caused more dismay at the weekend by backtracking on his ‘island of strangers’ remark about the dangers of uncontrolled immigration.
Surveys showed the striking comment had been well-received by Brits. But Sir Keir admitted he regretted making it as he was accused of echoing Enoch Powell.
A readout of the Cabinet meeting from No10 said the PM took the opportunity to ‘reflect on the last year in office, saying we could all rightly look back with a real sense of pride and achievement’.
‘The Prime Minister said that because of tough decisions the Government had taken, it had a platform to build on, with three trade deals, the spending review that was well received by the public and an industrial strategy received well by businesses, both large and small,’ the No10 spokesman said.
‘He pointed to a cut in NHS waiting lists, more than 4million extra appointments, investment in transport, major infrastructure decisions, funding for social and affordable housing, extending free school meals and introducing free breakfast clubs.’
The spokesman also pointed to the ‘four interest rate cuts in a row while global firms were choosing to back Britain’, and the exemptions from US tariffs for the car and aerospace industries which ‘meant the world to Jaguar Land Rover workers’.
The spokesman added: ‘He said the Government’s work is all designed and focused on improving the lives of working people and giving them the chance to thrive, not just survive, and the Government should be proud of those achievements as a team.’
Health Secretary Wes Streeting was among the ministers at Cabinet today
The Cabinet seemed in high spirits as they left Downing Street this morning
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy was all smiles as she exited No10
The spokesman denied the PM thought his Cabinet had needed ‘cheering up’.
‘No, I think it’s a natural point at which to reflect on the first year in office, and as the Prime Minister detailed there are a number of achievements of which the Cabinet can rightly feel proud, but he is equally of the view that there is much still to be done,’ the spokesman said.
Asked whether the Prime Minister thought the public shared his assessment of the Government’s record, the spokesman said: ‘I think the public feel the impact of the Government’s work already for interest rate cuts, three trade deals… but as with every Cabinet member, he is looking forward, not backwards, and intent on moving further and faster to improve the lives of working people up and down the country and help them thrive, not just survive.’
Nigel Huddleston, Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party, said: ‘Keir Starmer’s first year in government has been a masterclass in failure.
‘Sky-rocketing illegal immigration with 20,000 small boat crossings already this year, a failing economy with GDP down last month and borrowing costs at highest sustained levels in decades, unemployment is up and wealth creators and businesses are leaving the country.
‘Labour is in chaos, Keir Starmer has lost control, and working people are paying the price. Only the Conservatives, under Kemi Badenoch, have the serious plan and leadership to fix the mess and renew Britain.’
