Starmer’s Stumble: Promises of Change Clash With Political Reality at Labour Conference

Starmer's address was expected to be a celebratory triumph, yet the Prime Minister is faltering – triggering anger among the aides. Sir Keir Starmer declared to the Labour conference that "change starts" with their ascent to power. But will his deeds live up to his promise?

Political editor Beth Rigby

Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 11:

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Eighty days after securing a decisive electoral victory, Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Liverpool to speak at the conference as the first Labour prime minister in 15 years.

This was meant to be a triumphant celebration, yet it has turned into a scenario where the Prime Minister is faltering, caught off-balance by a controversy regarding the perks he accepted while leading the opposition, and chaos within Downing Street.

Latest Politics: Prime Minister dismisses critic with a chuckle while justifying reductions in winter fuel assistance.

Last year, in the exact same venue, Sir Keir received a rock star's welcome as he took the stage, with his team members visibly moved, some close to tears, as he presented his case to be the next prime minister.

Although he received a positive response during his speech on Tuesday, the nation's enthusiasm for their new leader is quickly fading.

The optimism and eagerness evident at the previous year's conference, when Labour was nearing control and Sir Keir was enjoying strong poll numbers, has been replaced by the tough realities of governance.

Recent survey results from Opinium indicate that the prime minister's approval rating has fallen 45 points to -26 since he assumed leadership. This places him one point below his predecessor, Rishi Sunak, in terms of popularity.

The controversy surrounding the prime minister's acceptance of complimentary clothing, vacations, and tickets to football games and concerts has also resonated widely. A recent YouGov survey revealed that two-thirds of respondents disapprove of these actions.

At the conference, his objective was to realign his "mission-driven" administration and explain the reason behind the temporary hardships he has been cautioning everyone about.

The address was composed of three segments.

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The initial step was to communicate the idea that "change is underway" by highlighting several initiatives his administration has launched. These include establishing a new border security command, initiating planning reforms, and creating Great British Energy to focus on renewable energy investments.

He emphasized the need to "repair the base," discussing the "difficult choices" he faced, and recognized that reducing the winter fuel subsidy had caused some worry. His stance remained the same as during the campaign and right after the election: change would require time and "it will be challenging."

The third aspect involved giving an idea of the potential future direction for the nation.

He informed the gathering, "The reality is, by making strategic decisions today and remaining committed to our core goal—boosting economic growth to elevate living standards across all communities, preparing our NHS for upcoming challenges by reducing hospital waiting lists, enhancing safety on your streets, fortifying our borders, expanding opportunities for your children, and powering homes with clean British energy—we can reach that promising future, that Britain that is truly yours, much faster."

Learn more: Student protestor claims Starmer is inactive on Gaza issues. Who is the Labour peer involved in the donation scandal? Analysis: Can increased borrowing help the chancellor achieve her goals?

This speech by Starmer was filled with talk of "national renewal" and a government dedicated to "working people." However, despite his significant majority, the proposals he presented were relatively modest.

When the government declares "change begins," the term "begins" is carrying a significant weight.

Sources indicate that the situation inherited from the Conservative party was far more challenging than anticipated. The Chancellor is reportedly struggling more than initially expected with her role, and enhancements to public services are projected to occur towards the parliament's conclusion.

However, despite potential public empathy, the leadership appears to be struggling with the cultural transformation that Sir Keir vowed to undertake when he was the leader of the opposition.

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He aimed to establish a government dedicated to serving the public. His goal was to rebuild faith in the political system and mend the fractured relationship of trust between the electorate and their leaders.

Starmer has found it challenging to maintain the same level of message discipline and polish from his leadership campaign as internal disputes and disagreements over perks have emerged.

Away from the formal addresses and on the outskirts of this gathering, in dimly lit bars or during low-key coffee chats, the atmosphere is one of guardedness and slight discouragement.

Confidentially, high-ranking officials and aides acknowledge that the Prime Minister has become embroiled in controversy surrounding the "free gear Keir" issue.

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The data suggests that the operation should have been closed sooner and more decisively, rather than continuing through the weekend into the conference.

"A senior government official commented, 'We ought to have put an end to it; it's a bad look.'"

Another voiced their annoyance that the government had strayed from its intended narrative, and that Downing Street was too slow to address the issue, noting that discussions about donations had overshadowed the start of the conference. They emphasized, "We need to refocus on our objectives."

A source mentioned that Starmer was "distressed" by the entire situation, especially since it has drawn attention to his wife Victoria.

One can only speculate about the internal turmoil he might be experiencing as he approaches his first conference in 15 years with Labour in control, yet finds himself at a disadvantage, his popularity declining, and facing public criticism shortly after achieving a significant victory.

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Dissatisfaction is brewing over the leaks from Number 10. Quietly, political insiders are discussing the anger shared by numerous special advisers who face salary reductions as they transition into government roles. This is in contrast to Sue Gray, whose salary increase now surpasses that of the prime minister.

"One figure expressed it bluntly: 'The advisers despise Sue Gray,'"

Starmer is reportedly greatly irritated by this, as he deeply values her guidance.

Cabinet members privately express great admiration for Ms. Gray. One shared with me, "When it comes to the workings of the government, she's incredibly supportive in coordinating various departments and cabinet members, assisting us in understanding the process."

Insiders close to the Prime Minister insist that Ms. Gray remains firmly in her position, and the objective following the conference will be to remove any distractions and concentrate intensely once more on their primary goals.

In his inaugural conference as prime minister, Sir Keir aimed to refocus the attention of the electorate on future prospects and the promise of better days ahead.

However, he is burdened by his own commitment to change his approach and his choice to accept over £107,000 in gifts during the previous parliament session.

Promoting a theme of "initiating change" becomes challenging amidst doubts about the consistency between what you say and what you do.

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