Happy new Keir?

PM needs to steady the ship & communicate better in 2025

-  JASON BEATTIE

"THINGS will get worse before they get better," said a seasoned Labour MP about his party's prospects.

Many of his colleagues are wondering how much worse it can get. Keir Starmer's premiership has been politely called "bumpy". Others have used more colourful language to describe the series of missteps and own goals.

Even the most loyal Labour MPs question if it was wise to anger millions of pensioners by removing their winter fuel payments.

Rachel Reeves then lost even more friends by raising employers' national insurance, making farmers pay inheritance tax and refusing to compensate the WASPI women.

There has been the freebies row; the departure of the PM's Chief of Staff Sue Gray; the removal of Transport Secretary Louise Haigh; Rosie Duffield's resignation, and the revolt over the two-child benefit cap. After such a start it is perhaps not a surprise Mr Starmer's personal ratings have nosedived.

The PM claimed before Christmas he would not have done anything differently since taking power. But there is a recognition in No 10 more needs to be done to steady the ship, cut out selfinflicted errors and communicate better what the government is doing.

Those close to Mr Starmer say that the "never here Keir" jibe - a reflection of the amount of overseas travel he has done has started to rankle and he will be more focused on domestic issues.