Keir Starmer’s resignation as Prime Minister United Kingdom has put an end to two years of Government marked by controversies, internal divisions and management errors. The Labor leader came to power in 2024 backed by a large majority and with the aim of returning the political stability to the country after 14 years of conservative governments. But the difficulties to fulfill his promises and his tepidity when it comes to making decisions they have ended their time in Downing Street. These are the main reasons for his departure, in six keys.
Starmer won the general election in 2024 promising to change British politics after 14 years of chaos under Conservative governments. But the Labor leader’s message lost credibility a few weeks after he came to power after it was learned that he had accepted donor gifts —including clothing, luxury accessories, and VIP invitations to concerts and soccer games—in the months leading up to his victory. These gifts were declared according to parliamentary rules, but they weakened the prime minister’s renewal speech.
Starmer also promised to speed up the economic growthreduce the waiting lists in public health and put an end to the irregular immigration. Although the situation in hospitals has improved, the timid progress in economic and immigration matters has disappointed an important part of the electorate.
The first big blow for Starmer came after announcing his intention to eliminate the aid for paying for electricity and gas in winter to pensioners. The Government proposed eliminating the universality of aid and limiting it only to retirees with lower incomes, but the revolt of their own forced to turn back.
Starmer also refused for months to recover the social aid for families with more than two children, a benefit that had been eliminated by Theresa May’s conservative government and that a large part of her bench demanded that she implement as soon as she came to power. He also proposed eliminating a large part of the benefits social benefits for physical or mental illnesses, with the aim of saving up to 6 billion euros and returning millions of people to the labor market. Finally, he had to withdraw the proposal.
The Starmer Government’s difficulties in accelerating economic growth and stopping the arrival of immigrants has given impetus to the ultra party Reform UKled by the populist Nigel Farage. The party is the favorite in the polls for the next general elections, scheduled for 2029, especially thanks to its success in former Labor strongholds in central and northern England and also in Wales.
Many Labor deputies, especially those from constituencies located in these areas of the country, fear losing their seats to the far right. Something that nervousness has increased and the urgency of carrying out a change of course in the party’s leadership.
The appointment of the former Labor minister Peter Mandelson as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to Washington, in December 2024, has been a huge headache for the prime minister. Mandelson was removed from office in September 2025 after new documents from the Epstein case that linked him directly to the pedophile, with whom he maintained a close friendship for years.
The documents indicate that the former ambassador shared confidential information with Epstein during his time as Trade Minister in Gordon Brown’s Government, alleged crimes for which he was arrested earlier this year, within the framework of an investigation for misconduct in the exercise of public office. Mandelson’s appointment sparked outrage among much of the Labor caucus, who are demanding explanations as to why his links to Epstein were not properly investigated during the selection process.
Starmer has maintained a ambivalent position in relation to the genocide of Israel in Gaza and the conflict in Iran. The prime minister had a lukewarm response after the first bombings by the Israeli Army on the Strip and insisted on Israel’s right to defend itself. Of the nearly 350 export licenses of weapons to Tel Aviv, the British Government only suspended about thirty. It was not until the middle of last year when Starmer decided to recognize the Palestinian state, along with other countries.
In Iran, the prime minister refused to actively participate in the initial US bombings, but he did give the green light to the use of its bases so that the US Army could use them with “defensive purposes”. Starmer’s lack of determination in Gaza and Iran has led many voters, especially Muslims, to lean towards parties such as the greens in large urban centers, such as London or Manchester.
An important part of the Labor caucus, especially in the leftmost sector of the party, has criticized the prime minister’s unwillingness to listen to the most critical voices. Many MPs believe that Starmer has not paid enough attention to a large part of the more than 400 MPs in his party and point out that, for a long time, he has taken the unconditional support of his people for granted.
The departure of important advisors to the prime minister, including two chiefs of staff, has been an example of the difficulties of the Labor leader to captain your teamwhile several members of the Government have criticized the “toxic culture” inside Downing Street.
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