The Inside Story Podcast Why is UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in trouble?
Sep 6, 2025
Join political commentator Peter Geoghegan, Professor Jonathan Tonge, and journalist Mark Devenport as they dissect the troubles facing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. They delve into the impact of a cabinet reshuffle after a tax controversy, the growing challenges from the right-wing Reform UK party, and the unsettling gap between parliamentary wins and voter approval. The conversation also touches on immigration policy debates, public sentiment, and Starmer's foreign policy dilemmas, all while navigating the stormy waters of British politics.
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Landslide Masked Fragile Mandate
- Labour's 2024 landslide exaggerated their popularity because they won two-thirds of seats with only one-third of the vote.
- Jonathan Tonge argues this structural weakness helps Reform surge amid economic limits and migration issues.
No Money, No Popular Policies
- The government lacks money to deliver popular policies because debt interest costs exceed £100bn.
- Jonathan Tonge says no fiscal room and weak immigration policy have driven Labour's unpopularity.
Alienating The Coalition
- Starmer has alienated parts of his coalition by cutting benefits and backing business-friendly tax changes.
- Peter Geoghegan warns this leaves Labour pleasing nobody and vulnerable to opponents' narratives.
