A grim week for Starmer – but things could be about to get worse

Recent events have cast a shadow over Sir Keir Starmer’s position as prime minister, intensifying doubts about his leadership. Two weeks ago, I would have said that pressure from Labour MPs on his future in Downing Street had begun to ease. Following his political brush with crisis in February, when Energy Secretary Ed Miliband remarked the party “looked over the precipice,” it seemed the urgency to challenge his leadership had waned, at least temporarily.

However, the tide turned sharply on Thursday afternoon when the Guardian published an investigation into Lord Mandelson’s security clearance. Since then, the narrative has shifted to a relentlessly grim tone, overshadowing other topics Labour would prefer to highlight. This comes just days before pivotal elections in Scotland, Wales, and several English local areas, amplifying the pressure on the party.

Public frustration grows

Labour ministers, accustomed to presenting government announcements, now appear visibly exasperated during the morning news rounds. Their reluctance to hide their frustrations signals a deeper unease. Former leader Ed Miliband, speaking on Sky News, admitted his concern about Mandelson’s appointment as Washington ambassador. “It could blow up,” he said, and noted he had raised these worries with David Lammy, who echoed similar doubts.

“It could blow up”

Miliband’s candidness underscores a shift in sentiment. On Good Morning Britain, he added that the decision to appoint Mandelson “was a fair point,” given the existing scrutiny around him at the time. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, typically a staunch government supporter, distanced himself from No 10’s push to rehire Lord Doyle. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper went further, expressing public outrage over the revelation.

Cabinet discussions revealed another layer of discontent. Ministers openly voiced concerns about the government’s strained ties with the Civil Service, particularly after Sir Olly Robbins was abruptly dismissed from the Foreign Office. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Health Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted these issues, suggesting a broader unease within the ranks. While Starmer also shared his worries, the willingness to publicize these concerns indicates a loss of confidence in his ability to manage crises.

Labour backbenchers have also joined the chorus of doubt. Jonathan Brash of GB News asserted that Starmer’s tenure is nearing its end, while Dan Carden on BBC Newsnight stated, “there is definitely a question about the future of the Labour government.” Even the left-leaning magazine the New Statesman contributed, with editor Tom McTague noting, “The clamour is growing: he cannot do the job.” His piece referenced Boris Johnson’s own moment of reckoning, implying parallels in the current situation.