Keir Starmer 100 days/ UK Prime Minister/ Labour Party/ Starmer controversies/ UK economy/ British politics/ Newslooks/ LONDON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first 100 days in office have seen both significant reforms and considerable setbacks. Despite strides on labor rights and environmental policy, controversies and a struggling economy have hurt his popularity, presenting challenges as Labour attempts to restore voter confidence.
Keir Starmer’s First 100 Days Quick Looks
- Election Win: Labour returned to power in July after 14 years.
- Policy Highlights: Early achievements include labor reforms and halting a deportation plan.
- Economic Hurdles: Rising debt and low growth constrain Starmer’s agenda.
- Controversies: Issues like the winter heating payment cut and costly gifts have sparked backlash.
- Upcoming Budget: Treasury chief Rachel Reeves will present her first budget on October 30.
Keir Starmer’s Rocky First 100 Days as UK Prime Minister
Deep Look
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reached his 100th day in office amid a mixture of accomplishments, challenges, and controversies that have made his early months anything but smooth. His Labour Party, which returned to power on July 4 after more than a decade, swept in on a wave of promises to restore economic growth and stabilize public services. However, polls now show Starmer’s approval ratings slipping amid internal struggles and a faltering economy.
Starmer campaigned on a pledge to leave behind the years of instability that marred Conservative leadership. In his first months, the Labour-led government has halted strikes by doctors and railway workers, founded a public green energy company, blocked a controversial asylum-seeker deportation plan to Rwanda, and introduced bills to strengthen workers’ and renters’ rights. Starmer’s administration has also reengaged on the global stage, with visits to Washington and the United Nations intended to underscore Britain’s renewed international focus post-Brexit.
Yet at home, Starmer faces a series of daunting issues. Violent anti-immigrant protests erupted across England and Northern Ireland over the summer, leading to more than 800 arrests and nearly 400 prison sentences. Starmer has condemned the violence, vowing to hold accountable those responsible for inciting or participating in it.
The UK economy remains a central problem. Official figures from August reveal minimal growth, just 0.2%, hampered by rising national debt. Starmer has warned that recovery will be challenging, citing a £22 billion ($29 billion) “black hole” left by prior Conservative policies. Seeking to address the deficit, one of Labour’s first acts was to cut a winter heating assistance payment to retirees, which triggered significant public backlash. Meanwhile, reports that Starmer accepted thousands in gifts from a Labour donor only deepened criticism, though he ultimately agreed to repay nearly £6,000 ($8,000) after days of negative coverage.
Starmer’s administration has also faced internal challenges. The resignation of Downing Street Chief of Staff Sue Gray, who cited media attention as a “distraction,” highlighted the strain on Labour’s early leadership team. Replaced by Labour strategist Morgan McSweeney, Gray’s departure followed revelations that her salary exceeded Starmer’s, intensifying scrutiny of her role.
The government’s next major step is the October 30 budget, to be presented by Treasury chief Rachel Reeves. She faces the difficult task of promoting growth without imposing income, sales, or corporate tax hikes while avoiding the austerity measures of prior years. To bridge this gap, Reeves is considering taxes on wealth, such as capital gains or inheritance, in hopes of finding resources for public investment.
As Starmer marks his 100th day, he has expressed determination to stay “on course” despite the challenges. “Some weeks are choppy—there’s no getting around that,” he told the BBC on Friday. Political analyst Tim Bale believes that while Labour’s start has been rocky, there is still time to gain the public’s trust, noting, “If Labour can present a clear vision and demonstrate a plan to fix the economy, it may yet sway voters.”
With nearly five years before the next general election, Labour has an opportunity to recalibrate. But Starmer’s government will need to navigate both internal and external obstacles to achieve the stability it promised voters.
