The new political year has opened with a stark warning for Prime Minister Keir Starmer from within his own party, as the leader of Scottish Labour has reportedly advised him to stay away from campaigning ahead of a crucial set of local elections.
A Fractious Start to 2026
The drama unfolded on Tuesday 6 January 2026, as revealed on the Sky News podcast 'Politics at Sam and Anne's'. The Scottish Labour leader's intervention highlights the ongoing tensions within the party and concerns about the Prime Minister's personal popularity across the United Kingdom. This comes as Starmer, dubbed 'Never Here Keir' by critics, prepared to jet off to Paris for another meeting of the international 'Coalition of the Willing'.
Polling Woes and Internal Unrest
The podcast's first weekly check-in on the state of the polls in 2026 suggested Starmer's popularity is far from robust. This data seemingly underpins the Scottish leader's sensitive request for the Prime Minister to keep his distance from the campaign trail. The political challenges are not limited to the campaign front, however.
Before his international trip, the Prime Minister chaired the first cabinet meeting of the New Year. Sam and Anne obtained exclusive news of a potential cabinet revolt brewing over government policy on business rates. Furthermore, there were reported threats to industry, suggesting it should lobby less aggressively if it wants to see a policy U-turn from the government.
Implications for Labour's Unity
This series of events paints a picture of a governing party navigating significant internal and external pressures early in 2026. The public warning from a key regional party figure, combined with shaky poll numbers and discontent within the cabinet, sets a difficult stage for the upcoming local election battles. The situation raises serious questions about Starmer's authority and the cohesive strategy of the Labour Party as it seeks to consolidate power.
The developments underscore the fragile nature of political alliances and the constant balancing act required between national leadership and regional party interests. How the Prime Minister and his team respond to these dual challenges of perception and policy will be closely watched in the weeks leading up to the elections.
