Starmer's Legacy: promises, actions and a decade of chaos in UK politics

Two years after coming to power in a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, Sir Keir Starmer resigned in an emotional speech outside the door of Number 10 following months of mounting pressure, including from within his own party.

From Boris Johnson and his cabinet's rules-defying "Partygate" scandals during the COVID-19 pandemic, to Liz Truss, whose 49-day tenure was famously outlasted by a tabloid newspaper's lettuce, public support for the Conservatives had been declining amid growing political turmoil.

The Labour leader promised change and stability after the saga of short-lived Conservative PMs. He won a low-turnout election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. The Labour Party secured 411 seats out of 650, forming a majority of 174 seats, and Starmer was tasked with forming a government, hoping to bring stability to British politics.

"Order" instead of "chaos" was Labour's slogan during the 2024 campaign. However, his resignation as the UK's sixth PM since 2016 is yet another episode of political instability, adding to the ever-present chaos in British politics since Brexit.

What paved the way for Starmer's decision?

Opposition to the PM within his own party came after the results of the local elections on 7th May 2026, where Labour suffered both in terms of numbers and control.

Following the local elections, the Labour Party suffered the largest losses at the councillor level, with 1,229 councillors losing their seats. At the same time, the far-right Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, recorded the largest gain, winning 1,372 councillors ahead of the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats, who also increased their representation, while the Conservatives lost 433 councillors.

At the council level, the Labour Party also recorded a loss of 37 councils while its rival Reform UK gained 14. Approval ratings fell significantly, with half of UK adults telling YouGov that Starmer should resign and be replaced as Labour leader and Prime Minister, according to a survey published on 11th May.

However, it was the internal unease in his camp following these results and the rise of Reform UK that paved the way for his resignation. Labour MPs believed that, if Starmer stayed in power, the discontent, along with the unpopularity he had sparked, would result in a total breakthrough for Reform UK and hand the keys to Downing Street to Nigel Farage. While calls for his resignation mounted, Starmer rejected them several times. He declared his willingness to stay in office, saying, "I know I have my doubters, and I know I need to prove them wrong [...] I'm not going to walk away."

His cabinet ministers, including the Home Secretary, the Foreign Secretary, the Deputy Prime Minister, and four ministerial aides, resigned. His defence secretary, John Healey, and Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, were among the latest to resign, citing concerns and dissatisfaction over the defence investment plan.

Starmer's unpopularity and calls for resignation gained further momentum in the wake of his key challenger Andy Burnham's success in the Makerfield by-election, defeating Reform UK. By becoming an MP and being sworn into the House of Commons on 22nd June, Burnham became a potential candidate to replace Starmer as party leader. Many see this as a way of bringing back loyal Labour voters and restoring trust in the party.

What went wrong?

Keir Starmer's promise of "change" led to his rise to power but also to his fall from grace in the eyes of the British public.

"Change" was a slogan at the heart of his 2024 political manifesto, setting out his policy priorities ranging from economic growth, education, the National Health Service (NHS), clean energy commitments and border security.

"Change promised by a Labour government. Change fought for by a Labour government, change delivered by a Labour government." Starmer said in his resignation speech.

For many, the Labour leader was considered to be failing to bring about that change and deliver his agenda. Despite fulfilling some of the pledges he made and his actions during his two years of leadership, he was criticised for unkept promises, policy U-turns, as well as on a personal level.

Coming from a working-class background, with his father working in a factory and his mother working as a nurse, Starmer then became a lawyer and built a career in human rights and public service.

He was awarded a knighthood, becoming "Sir Keir Starmer", serving as Director of Public Prosecutions, then entered politics in his 50s. In 2016, while serving as a shadow minister, he resigned as part of the mass frontbench revolt against Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.

Despite his family's blue-collar background, he struggled to win over Labour voters and build a connection with them. He never became widely popular. According to YouGov's tracker, by 26th August 2024 (only a month after Starmer's election), 43% of the public already thought he was doing "badly" as PM, against 36% who thought he was doing well. By 15th June this year, dissatisfaction had risen to 74%, with only 18% approving.

Critics believe that the PM failed to align himself and his actions with Labour's traditional working-class identity and agenda. His unpopularity and disconnection with the public were not tied to a matter of wealth, a lavish lifestyle, or "-gate" scandals, unlike his predecessors. While his predecessor, Rishi Sunak, often came under fire for his wealth and billionaire status, making headlines over the electricity grid upgrade for the heating of his private pool at his £1.5m home, one of the headlines about Starmer was the debate over whether he put the donkey field he bought for his parents (for £20,000) into a trust to avoid inheritance tax.

Starmer's challengers argue that some of his policies diverged from Labour's socialist roots and what the party traditionally stood for. Many did not feel a concrete change in their purchasing power or a significant improvement in their living standards.

Why so unpopular?

One of the major criticisms of Starmer was not related to his actions or policy directions; rather, some believed he lacked charisma and leadership. Yet his record includes genuinely bold stances, such as calling out Elon Musk for allegedly interfering in UK politics by politicising Henry Nowak's murder, and standing up to Donald Trump in the American military base row during Operation "Epic Fury". The problem was one of perception: Starmer struggled to come across as bold or confident, even when his actions were exactly that.

He also faced criticism for lacking a clear agenda with concrete results, a strong vision, or a defined ideology, thus being labelled as "invisible" in terms of ideology.

His governing approach and technocratic work style were also described as very procedural, strict on rules, prioritising process over action. He was labelled a "bureaucrat" rather than a "leader".

His communication strategy and public image also came under scrutiny, with critics claiming that he couldn't brand himself as a PM or generate publicity around his work in an efficient way. The level of disapproval went even further, with some branding his personality "boring" or "dull".

Some of the main controversies Keir Starmer faced

The Lord Mandelson affair:

Mandelson's disputed appointment as ambassador to the United States, despite his known links to Jeffrey Epstein and the failure of the vetting process, became a scandal for the Labour leader to deal with.

As a result, Starmer's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, took responsibility for suggesting Mandelson for the role and resigned. But his departure as the architect of Starmer's 2024 election victory did not stop scrutiny over the extent to which Starmer was aware of it. Questions also arose about whether the PM would be able to cope without his right-hand man.

The freebies controversy:

Only a few months after his election, in October, the row over gifts accepted and donations received for clothing, travel, and events emerged around Starmer and his cabinet. Keir Starmer received gifts and free hospitality worth more than £100,000 during his time in Parliament over the last five years, as he declared under the House of Commons code of conduct. These gifts included tickets to Taylor Swift's London show.

Faced with backlash, Starmer reimbursed thousands of pounds' worth of gifts.

The Cyprus base drone incident:

During Operation Epic Fury, a British base in Cyprus was targeted by Iranian drones. The UK was criticised for the slow deployment of a Royal Navy destroyer to the Mediterranean and of maritime assets to the Gulf in support of allies also targeted by Iran, particularly when compared with France's rapid response. The episode raised further questions about British military credibility.

On the economy, too, there were controversies and U-turns.

• Starmer initially ruled out increasing taxes but later changed course. For example, the Labour government removed the previous VAT exemption on private school fees and introduced 20% VAT.

• The government had to scale back its welfare reforms and benefit cuts. Instead of controversial cuts, Starmer had to revise his plans and introduce other changes.

• He planned to cut disability benefits through the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, aiming to save £5 billion by 2030. Following public outrage, he backtracked.

• Faced with the indignation among pensioners, instead of ending the universal Winter Fuel Payment, a subsidy providing heating allowances to pensioners, the PM restricted eligibility to existing recipients, excluding new applicants.

Some of Starmer's key achievements

Despite what many feel about his premiership, Starmer did deliver on some of his promises.

• His government made progress in reducing NHS waiting lists. The UK economy grew faster than those of many G7 nations in the first quarter of 2026. This was part of Labour's pledges to rebuild the UK.

• Immigration and asylum applications showed a downward trend. There was a 40% decrease in arrivals by small boat under his government, compared with the previous year.

• GDP has increased, though moderately, and national debt has eased slightly.

• He abolished the two-child limit introduced by the Conservative government in 2017, which charities said had negatively affected welfare for about 1.7 million children and their parents.

• Starmer increased defence spending. He still plans to push ahead with his Defence Investment Plan, aiming to finalise it before the NATO summit, despite his Defence Secretary, John Healey, considering it insufficient and falling short of the 3% target that many NATO allies are being encouraged to meet.

• The UK recognised the Palestinian state, following in France's and other nations' footsteps.

• Starmer kept the UK out of Trump's military operation against Iran as much as possible, initially refusing to allow the US to use its military bases, which triggered a row between him and the US President.

• Bilateral ties with France gained momentum. The two NATO allies cooperated in many areas, especially on international issues such as the war in Ukraine, European defence and security, and combating illegal immigration.

• On Ukraine, the UK and France co-chair the Coalition of Volunteers initiative, bringing together 35 countries in support of Ukraine with an aim to reach a just and robust peace deal, in full respect of Ukraine's sovereignty.

• France and the UK also carried out several joint military operations targeting the Russian Shadow Fleet, which evades sanctions in efforts to finance the Kremlin's war in Ukraine.

• After a six-year hiatus, the UK will rejoin the Erasmus+ student exchange after signing an agreement with the EU, which will come into effect in 2027.

A mixed record on LGBTQIA+ and trans rights

The British PM has a mixed legacy when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights, as the progressive stance he advocated within the Labour Party and his government has changed over time. Especially on trans rights, despite advocating for the cause on social media since 2020, both Labour's and Starmer's stance on the topic have hardened.

His government supported the changes to hate crime legislation on LGBTQIA+ introduced through the Crime and Policing Bill.

Starmer supported the cause and the legal battle for the LGBTQIA+ community's right to do military service, calling the previous ban a "scandal". He supported veterans affected by the LGBT ban and the restorative measures and compensation, such as payouts, official apologies, and medals by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for those impacted by the ban in the Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000. The Labour government went further by extending these measures to those who served before 1967 and introduced new restorative measures on 12th December 2024.

Controversy over LGBT-inclusive education

In 2019, Starmer backed a proposal to make LGBTQIA+-inclusive education mandatory in the school curriculum. As a PM, he distanced himself from including gender ideology in school curricula, rejecting what he described as "ideology being taught in schools".

Starmer's trans self-ID stance: women vs biological women

More recently, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the equalities watchdog, updated its Code of Practice and guidance on the implementation of the Equality Act after the Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of sex as biological sex. The case was brought by For Women Scotland, the gender-critical political campaign group. The code sets out guidance on the operation of single-sex spaces based on this binary definition, which LGBTQIA+ organisations and campaigners warn could exclude trans people from toilets and changing rooms regardless of whether they hold a gender recognition certificate.

In 2022, Starmer said, "a woman is a female adult, and in addition to that trans women are women, and that is not just my view; that is actually the law". He later declared his hardened position, stating, "a woman is an adult female," on BBC Radio 5 Live in July 2023. In April 2025, when asked about the UK Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of "sex" and "women", he welcomed the court's decision, adding that he was pleased to have clarity on the issue.

This received backlash from the LGBTQIA+ community and was seen as another U-turn. In an attempt to reject the EHRC's Code of Practice, an Early Day Motion (EDM) 240 was tabled by Labour MP Nadia Whittome, who also called for Keir Starmer's resignation. The motion received more than 130 cross-party signatures.

Andy Burnham reacted to the Supreme Court ruling as well. He supported its implementation while warning against "marginalising already marginalised communities."

Conversion therapy

Despite the ban on conversion therapy being included in the "change" manifesto, it has still not been implemented in the UK. Nevertheless, a draft bill introduced by the government aims to ban conversion therapy in England and Wales.

Puberty blockers for trans children

The ban on puberty blockers for under-18s with gender dysphoria was made indefinite, which campaigners described as a setback for trans youth.

The Pathways Trial was paused in February this year after the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) cited safety concerns, despite the trial having been approved by regulators and experts in November 2025. However, on 19th June 2026 the MHRA announced that the trial would continue, having been approved by the Agency and the Health Research Authority following the introduction of additional safeguards.

What's ahead for the UK now?

Starmer will remain in office as caretaker PM until the Labour leadership election is over. A timetable for selecting the new leader has already been set by the national executive committee of the Labour Party. The nomination will start on 9th July, and the candidates will have until 16th July to secure the threshold of 81 MPs. A leadership special conference will be held on 17th July if one candidate reaches the required number.

Andy Burnham has already expressed his interest in the position via a tweet addressed to Keir Starmer and thanking him for his leadership. In his speech on Monday, 29th June, Burnham promised major devolution policies, handing more power to local governments. He also announced that, under his premiership, he would create a "Number 10 North"; this would make Burnham the first ever Prime Minister to have his permanent office in Manchester rather than London.

Other potential candidates were expected to be Health Secretary Wes Streeting and the former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner. Recently, Streeting has announced that he will not challenge Burnham and will support his candidacy.

As the frontrunner candidate, Burnham is likely to be announced as the new leader of the Labour Party and successor to Starmer on 17th July if no challenger emerges.

Meanwhile, after Reform UK's sweeping gains in May's local elections, Nigel Farage is calling for an early general election to capitalise on his party's momentum.

According to the BBC, Starmer and Burnham are already in talks, having met on 25th June following Burnham's election in Makerfield to ensure a smooth transition. The two men have history: as MP for Holborn and St Pancras, Starmer backed Burnham in the 2015 Labour leadership contest. The access talks are also expected to begin soon.

The UK's relationship with the EU

Following his resignation announcement, Starmer received support from European leaders, including Friedrich Merz, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Emmanuel Macron, the European Council president António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with all of them mainly praising his commitment to Europe and Ukraine. Ursula von der Leyen also paid tribute to Starmer on X in a short post highlighting his efforts towards European and Ukrainian security.

A UK-EU summit, announced during the G7 meeting in Évian-les-Bains (France), was scheduled to take place on 22nd July. After Starmer's decision to step down, it was reported that the summit, which would have marked the second bilateral meeting, was postponed. According to European Commission chief spokesperson Paula Pinho, the EU will reassess the matter.

What this means for the future

UK politics has been in turmoil for a while now and, despite his promises of change and stability, Starmer appears to have failed to win over the trust of the British public. As he steps down, yet another new Prime Minister is set to take his place.

Whether Andy Burnham or someone else, whoever succeeds Starmer will inherit the same test he faced: delivering visible change before the next general election, to stand against a resurgent Reform UK.