Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a stern warning to his cabinet, demanding an end to damaging internal briefings and leaks following one of the most turbulent weeks of his premiership.
A Plea for Unity
During his weekly cabinet meeting, Starmer confronted senior ministers and officials, insisting that the recent political infighting and premature budget revelations had dangerously shifted focus away from the government's core priorities. The prime minister told his team that distractions meant their focus had shifted from where it mattered most: working every day in the service of the British people.
His spokesperson elaborated, stating Starmer emphasised that people were rightly impatient for change, and the government must deliver rather than talk about itself. The prime minister stressed that next week's budget would prioritise rebuilding the economy and demonstrating what the government stands for.
Leadership Speculation and Tax U-Turn
The intervention forms part of a concerted fightback from Starmer after a difficult period dominated by stories of internal conflict. The week began with the prime minister explicitly promising to fight the next election as Labour leader in an interview with the Mirror, aiming to quell growing speculation about his political future.
He told the newspaper: Let me be really clear – every minute that’s not spent talking about and dealing with the cost of living is a minute wasted.
Mid-week, Starmer was forced to defend his own leadership after allies were quoted discussing a potential challenge from Health Secretary Wes Streeting. While Number 10 denied authorising the briefings, Streeting emerged with enhanced credentials after handling the rumours with assured humour in media interviews.
Just as the leadership talk subsided, Downing Street and the Treasury were rocked on Thursday night by a Financial Times story revealing a major pre-budget U-turn. After weeks of preparation, Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves had decided against pursuing a controversial rise in income tax rates, contrary to earlier plans and despite a manifesto promise not to do so.
The Road Ahead
Starmer's allies hope his public commitment to lead Labour into the next election will dampen speculation over potential successors. However, with Labour polling at just 19% – eight points behind Reform UK – many within the party believe he could face a leadership challenge after the local elections in May if the political situation does not improve.
The prime minister's clear message is that the government must now work as one team, delivering on its mandate of opportunity and security, and moving beyond internal disputes that have plagued its early weeks.
