Politics

Labour MPs Question Keir Starmer’s Leadership After String of Policy Reversals

Published on July 1, 2025

Keir Starmer is taking heavy fire from all sides as a wave of U-turns has left even some of his own MPs questioning whether the Prime Minister truly stands for anything at all. The latest flashpoint? A welfare overhaul that ministers themselves now admit could push around 150,000 more people into poverty.

With a key vote looming, Liz Kendall tried to steady the ship by unveiling a watered-down version of the changes, hoping to keep Labour MPs from rebelling. But it’s clear that backbench unrest is bubbling over, and this latest climbdown is just one in a long list, reported GB News.

It’s becoming a running theme of Starmer’s time in No 10. Since taking office, he’s pulled a full reverse on everything from grooming gang inquiries to winter fuel payments. His most cringeworthy about-turn came after a speech in May that warned Britain was becoming “an island of strangers.” Starmer had initially stood by the comments, even saying mass immigration had caused “incalculable damage” to public services.

But that speech drew comparisons to Enoch Powell’s notorious 1968 “rivers of blood” remarks, and Starmer suddenly changed his tune. “I wouldn’t have used those words if I had known they were, or even would be, interpreted as an echo of Powell,” he later told The Observer. “I had no idea – and my speechwriters didn’t know either… I deeply regret using it.”

Then there’s the two-child benefit cap. Back in opposition, Starmer promised to scrap it. He said: “We must scrap the inhuman Work Capability Assessments and private provision of disability assessments… scrap punitive sanctions, two-child limit and benefits cap.” But once in power, he quietly backed away, saying Labour wouldn’t touch the cap right away.

He’s since tried to soften the blow by calling it a “down payment on child poverty” and pledging a long-term strategy. But that hasn’t stopped criticism, especially with seven Labour MPs already suspended last year for backing a push to scrap it.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage hasn’t missed a beat, slamming the flip-flop and promising to reverse the cap himself. His party continues to gain ground as the real opposition, especially with Labour voters growing restless.

Starmer also backpedalled dramatically on plans to slash £5 billion from the benefits bill, after he originally proposed cuts to Personal Independence Payments and Universal Credit. When 120 Labour MPs started making noise, the Prime Minister caved.

Kendall had to offer three major concessions to calm the chaos. First, no changes to Pip for current claimants. Second, stricter rules only apply to new claims from late 2026. Third, the Government will now guarantee a full ministerial review of the Pip assessment process. It was a clear sign Starmer couldn’t risk the rebellion.

The winter fuel payment saga hasn’t helped either. Chancellor Rachel Reeves triggered outrage when she announced in July that pensioners who don’t receive pension credit would lose access to the support. The backlash was fierce. MPs shouted “shame” in the Commons, and even Gordon Brown weighed in, saying no pensioner should be left in poverty.

After months of deflecting, Starmer finally gave in. The payment will now go to nine million pensioners – up from just under two million last winter.

And despite initially refusing to back a national inquiry into grooming gangs, Starmer changed his stance once Baroness Louise Casey’s audit landed on his desk. “I’ve read every single word of her report,” he said. “I shall now implement her recommendation.”

Each time the pressure rises, Starmer backs off. And the pattern isn’t going unnoticed. Voters are asking whether he’s leading with conviction – or just making it up as he goes along.

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