British Labour begins its annual conference today, considered high-risk for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who faces growing discontent within his own camp, where some doubt his ability to withstand the rise of the far right, AFP reported, quoted by BTA.
Just fifteen months into his term, the prime minister has been hit by one set of setbacks after another. The economy is floundering, unemployment is at a four-year high, illegal immigration is at record highs and inflation remains higher than in the rest of Europe.
The start of autumn has also been particularly difficult for him. In just a few weeks, he has faced the resignation of his deputy Angela Raynor over a tax error, the departure of several Downing Street advisers and the recall of Britain's ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, who has been implicated in a scandal involving convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In this context, the conference in Liverpool, northern England, will be an opportunity for his party colleagues to "express their displeasure with Keir Starmer," political analyst Stephen Fielding told AFP. "The party and the country are against him," he added, noting that the not particularly charismatic Downing Street resident has only 27% positive ratings according to the YouGov institute.
On the international stage, Starmer can boast of undeniable successes - good relations with Donald Trump, coordination of European efforts in support of Ukraine and rapprochement with the European Union.
But Starmer's balance sheet at home is far less impressive. His spring welfare reform, abandoned after a rebellion in the party, and the freezing of heating benefits for pensioners angered the British and the left wing of the Labour Party. The government reshuffle after the resignation of Angela Raynor in early September, which was essentially an exchange of posts between leading ministers, did not significantly change the situation. Some even believe that Keir Starmer's days in “Downing Street“ are numbered, AFP added.
The prime minister will speak to delegates in Liverpool on Tuesday. He intends to present the next general election, scheduled for 2029, as a choice between the "patriotic renewal" that he advocates and the "toxic division" of the far-right party "Reform UK".
"History will not forgive us if we do not put all our strength into the fight against "Reform", which is the enemy", he said in an interview published yesterday in the "Guardian".
Nigel Farage's party continues its rise in the opinion polls, taking advantage of the rejection of immigration by some Britons. In this area, the government's policies and tough rhetoric seem unconvincing to voters and "put in an awkward position" many members of the Labour Party, Stephen Fielding emphasizes.
“This will not be a last-chance speech, but it will be a decisive moment to clearly set out his vision for the future“, also believes Patrick Diamond, a lecturer in political science at the “Queen Mary“ University of London.“
There is already intense speculation about the ambitions of the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to take over the leadership of the party. He urged Starmer to adopt a more left-wing line and said he had received signals from MPs to run for leader.
For now, Keir Starmer does not seem to be in immediate danger, relying on his strong majority and the internal party rules in place that make a possible replacement difficult. “He still has time to turn things around“, Patrick Diamond told AFP – at least until the local elections scheduled for May 2026.
But his task could be further complicated if Labour MPs elect Lucy Powell, who was just removed from the government, as deputy leader in October. She faces Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who is seen as close to the prime minister. If Powell wins, "it will be seen as a vote of no confidence in Keir Starmer," warns Stephen Fielding.