Coffee House Shots Will Trump's state visit save Starmer?
Sep 16, 2025
Tim Shipman, political editor of The Sunday Times and a sharp analyst of UK politics, discusses the recent turmoil in the Labour Party, including Keir Starmer's latest aide resignation and a contentious Commons debate over Peter Mandelson's ties to Epstein. With Donald Trump's state visit looming, the conversation delves into whether this high-profile event could salvage Starmer's reputation or further complicate his position. Additionally, Shipman highlights the challenges within Labour's immigration strategy as internal party dynamics shift.
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Resignation Signals Government Fragility
- Paul Ovenden's resignation deepens a sense of decay around the government despite the incident being arguably marginal.
- Tim Shipman warns that losing skilled communicators undermines team cohesion and public confidence quickly.
Majority Won't Shield From Perceived Chaos
- The government’s recent chaos has turned a huge electoral majority into a source of vulnerability rather than immunity.
- Shipman says daily scandals make it plausible the Prime Minister may not survive long in office.
Vetting Failures Amplify Political Risk
- The Mandelson-Epstein controversy exposes weaknesses in how political appointments were vetted.
- James Heale notes this fuels opposition demands to release files and intensifies scrutiny of Starmer's judgment.