UK PM Starmer's patchy record after unhappy one year in power

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds the railing after missing his step while leaving 10 Downing Street in central London on July 2, 2025. [AFP] A year after coming to power British Prime Minister Keir Starmer already appears seriously weakened, with an internal rebellion this week dealing the latest blow to his authority. Here's a look back at the Labour Party leader's record on six issues over an eventful past 12 months since winning an election on July 4, 2024: Reviving economic growth The centre-left government has struggled to deliver on its top priority: reviving economic growth. While there was a surprise 0.7 percent growth in the first quarter, most analysts agree that it will likely not last as US tariffs and business tax hikes threaten progress. To kickstart the economy, Labour has pledged to cut red tape and launched a multi-billion pound investment plan focused on the ailing National Health Service (NHS) and crumbling infrastructure. But results will take time, noted Nicholas Barr, professor of public economics at the London School of Economics. "Glitzy short-term policies won't hack it," he said. Foreign policy and defence Starmer found himself playing a key role in international diplomacy following Donald Trump's return as US president, taking advantage of the UK's relatively positive relations with Washington and improving ties with Brussels. This was particularly evident on the Ukraine war, when Starmer led a European "coalition of the willing" to support Kyiv after Trump's threats to withdraw US support. Despite the fiscal straightjacket, Starmer also promised to boost defence spending to five percent of GDP, as urged by NATO. Immigration Immigration is a key political issue, with Labour promising to reduce net migration and "smash the criminal boat gangs" ferrying migrants across the Channel. Net migration nearly halved in 2024, although that drop was largely attributed to policies implemented by the previous Conservative that Starmer kept in place. But people making small boat crossings for the first half of 2025 hit a record high of 19,982, and hard-right party Reform UK is capitalising on the issue, opening up a consistent polling lead against the government. Starmer is reported to be in negotiations with French President Emmanuel Macron on a deal that would see small boat migrants sent back to France in exchange for asylum seekers with UK family ties. In a bid to tackle Reform's rise, Starmer in May outlined a new plan to reduce migration, but admitted last week that he "deeply regrets" saying that Britain risked turning into an "island of strangers". Trade, a rare win Trade has been a bright spot for the Starmer government. It secured three deals in May: easing tariffs with the United States, repairing ties with the European Union, and striking a long-awaited agreement with India. These wins suggest the government is finding its footing in international trade, explained David Henig, director of the UK Trade Policy Project at the European Centre for International Economic Policy. "Looking forward their priority seems to be to complete further smaller deals where possible in order to gain some momentum, which is a reasonable place to start," he said. But warned that "this is unlikely to do much for growth." Public spending trap Finance minister Rachel Reeves promised "iron discipline" to restore public finances. But plans to scrap winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners were rolled back and a proposed cut in disability benefits was shelved on Tuesday following a rebellion by Labour MPs. Reeves must now find savings elsewhere. "The government is effectively back to square one," said Helen Miller, deputy director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). Reeves may now have to break a promise not to raise taxes on "working people", she added. Showing the strain, tears rolled down Reeves' face during Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions session in parliament. Her spokesperson said it was a "personal matter" while Starmer's spokesperson said Reeves had "full backing". Health Starmer vowed to rebuild the cherished NHS, promising improvements after a decade of austerity, the coronavirus pandemic and political upheavals left it in crisis. Initial reforms have focused on reducing bureaucracy and identifying potential savings, which has included the scrapping of vast administrative body NHS England. The government has had some success on reducing waiting times, with Starmer telling MPs this week his government had created four million extra appointments -- twice its target. Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting will on Thursday unveil a 10-year "health plan" to make the NHS "fit for the future" while Reeves recently announced an extra PS29 billion per year for the NHS in England.

UK PM Starmer's patchy record after unhappy one year in power

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UK PM Starmer's patchy record after unhappy one year in power

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