Daily Politics from the New Statesman The biggest stories of 2025
Dec 28, 2025
As 2025 concludes, the panel dives into Labour's struggles and the potential impact of leadership changes, particularly under Starmer. They explore the rise of the Reform party and its implications for traditional politics, alongside the hard-right movements' influence. The ongoing Prince Andrew scandal reignites debates on the monarchy's future. Internationally, Trump's tariffs create global trade ripples, while Gaza remains a contentious issue affecting UK politics. The emergence of an American pope adds a new dimension to global Catholicism.
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Labour's Rapid Decline This Year
- Labour's standing deteriorated through 2025 with repeated mini-crises and falling polls, reaching around 18%.
- Tom McTague warns this could be existential if public opinion has definitively hardened against Keir Starmer.
Growing Momentum For Labour Leadership Change
- Many Labour MPs now see Starmer as replaceable and consider dramatic policy shifts under a new leader.
- Andy Burnham proposed reversing Thatcherism as a radical alternative in interviews.
Immigration Drives Reform's Surge
- Nigel Farage and Reform rose by capitalising on immigration as a dominant voter concern.
- Tom McTague says Labour must show control over migration without amplifying it to avoid handing the issue to Reform.