Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is enduring what political experts are calling one of the most challenging beginnings for a newly elected government in recent UK history. Just weeks after his Labour Party’s decisive victory in the 2024 General Election, his administration was forced into a significant climbdown over proposed changes to the UK’s welfare system.
The government’s plan to cut Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) costs met fierce resistance not only from opposition parties but from within Labour’s own ranks. Despite commanding a substantial majority in Parliament, Starmer’s administration faced an unprecedented rebellion that compelled it to dilute its welfare reform proposals considerably.
Sir John Curtice, a renowned polling expert and professor of politics at Strathclyde University, highlighted the rapid decline in Labour’s support since the election. Speaking on Times Radio, Curtice noted, “Compared with newly elected governments, this one has seen the steepest and fastest drop in backing. Notably, Labour’s majority was secured with only 35% of the popular vote—the lowest for any government with a parliamentary majority.”
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The proposed welfare reforms, which included reductions in Universal Credit and PIP, were intended to curb public spending. However, Labour MPs criticized the measures as rushed and harmful to vulnerable beneficiaries. The backlash forced the government to water down its bill during its second reading in Parliament, significantly reducing the anticipated budget savings.
This parliamentary upheaval not only exposed fractures within Labour’s ranks but also raised questions about the government’s ability to manage its agenda going forward. With diminished savings from welfare reforms, the government may face pressure to seek alternative funding sources or implement further austerity measures in its upcoming Autumn Budget.
Conservative opposition leader Kemi Badenoch seized on the situation, condemning Labour’s welfare bill as ineffective. “It saves nothing, helps no one into work, and fails to tackle spending,” she asserted. “Starmer needs to go back to the drawing board and produce a credible plan. He cannot govern effectively under the current approach.”
As Keir Starmer navigates these turbulent early months, public confidence in his leadership appears unsettled. The coming weeks will be crucial as the government attempts to restore unity and advance its policy agenda amid growing scrutiny and political challenges.