Starmer's Government at a Crossroads: Year in Power Marked by Frustration, Division

Strategic Insights -

Keir Starmer's Labour government marks a year in power, and the mood on the party benches is sullen, reflecting the sense of frustration in the country. An Opinium poll for The Observer found that more than half of voters think the government has been doing a bad job since the election, compared with less than a fifth who believe it is doing a good job. Labour insiders are calling for a greater sense of urgency in reforming public services, echoing the views of former prime minister Tony Blair, who emphasizes the need for radical changes to address the populist threat.

Key Takeaways:

  • The government's refusal to draw on Starmer's personal experiences with his disabled mother and disabled brother in making the case for welfare reform has been criticized, with insiders saying it made the proposals seem "bloodless" and "Treasury-driven".
  • The Labour party has been divided between incrementalism and radicalism, with some calling for a greater sense of urgency in reforming public services.
  • There are calls for a new strategy unit in Downing Street to focus on long-term challenges and for Starmer to be more assertive in leading the government.
  • The government's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, has been the subject of criticism, but Wes Streeting, the health secretary, defends him, saying he is crucial to the government's success.
  • The defining split in the Labour government is now between incrementalism and radicalism, with some calling for a more radical approach to public service reform.
  • Starmer is reportedly building a new team of trusted policy experts to shadow Whitehall departments and encourage innovation.
  • The government is seeking to recruit an economics adviser to provide intellectual firepower to stand up to the Treasury.

Statistics:

  • An Opinium poll for The Observer found that more than half (55%) of voters think the government has been doing a bad job since the election, compared with 17% who believe it is doing a good job.
  • Almost two-thirds (63%) of those who voted Labour last July think the party has done a worse job in power than they expected.
  • A Labour peer said: "Too many people don't know what this government is about," and that there is a sense that the party has been throwing out policy without an overarching narrative.

Sources:

  • Rachel Sylvester, Political Editor: Interview with Keir Starmer
  • Downing Street source: Comment on Starmer's decision not to draw on his personal experiences
  • Former cabinet minister: Comment on the Labour party's divisions and the need for urgency in reforming public services
  • Tony Blair: Interview with The Observer, on the need for radical changes to address the populist threat
  • Wes Streeting: Interview with The Observer, on the importance of Morgan McSweeney to the government's success
  • Axel Heitmueller: Comment on his new role as a health specialist with an interest in technology
  • Oli de Botton: Comment on his focus on education policy
  • The Observer: Opinium poll on the government's performance