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Sir Keir Starmer has ended a painful political year by admitting that speculation about a leadership coup is “widespread” and complaining about how long it is taking him to get things done.
Britain’s prime minister ended 2025 with his approval rating at an all-time low, falling below 20 percent in Labor Party polls and his own MPs debating whether he can survive in Downing Street until the end of next year.
Starmer was questioned by MPs on Monday over a series of leaks relating to his leadership and was challenged if he could confirm where they were coming from. “No, I’m not sure I can,” he said. “It seems to be quite widespread.”
That comment drew laughter from MPs on the House of Commons Liaison Committee, but Starmer’s disappointment upon hearing about his record in office at the end of his term was clear.
Asked about his biggest regret after almost 18 months in office, Starmer said: “The speed. And the ability to get things done in Parliament.”
Starmer said she had learned that whenever previous governments ran into trouble, they would set up new rules, far-reaching bodies or advisory mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
He said he was cutting regulation and quangos to try to streamline the delivery system, but admitted: “The process from pulling the lever to delivery has taken longer than I thought.”
Starmer has faced repeated questions about alleged poor discipline by some in his own team, as Downing Street aides last month fueled stories that the prime minister may soon face a leadership challenge.
Many Labor MPs believe such a challenge is inevitable after disappointing rounds of elections for the Scottish and Welsh parliaments and English councils next May.
Potential challengers could include Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, former Labor leader Ed Miliband, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Dissatisfaction among Labor MPs stems not only from Starmer’s weak performance, but also from a major reshuffle in September, in which dozens of ministers were dismissed or unexpectedly moved to new jobs.
Among those hurt was former Scotland Secretary Ian Murray, who has revealed his wife was “very angry” when he was demoted.
Murray was removed from cabinet and given a more junior role in the culture and science portfolios.
In an interview with Holyrood, a political magazine, he said that “the hardest part” was the lack of recognition for half-baked work and the lack of explanation for the dismissal. He said, “I didn’t think I deserved public humiliation for all this.”
In an example of the government’s difficulties in moving at the pace it wants, Defense Secretary John Healey ignored questions from MPs on Monday about whether his defense investment plan would still be delivered before Christmas.
The DIP, which will detail how the government will transform the armed forces over the next decade, has come amid disagreement among the service chiefs over which parts of the armed forces should be given priority.
Asked whether there was still hope for a DIP before Christmas, Healey said only that the Ministry of Defense was “fully working towards the end of this year”.
