Starmer Under Fire: Labour PM Faces Party Rebellion Amid First-Year Struggles Over Welfare Reform

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is battling a significant rebellion within his own Labour Party this week as he marks one year in office. The dissent centers on controversial welfare reforms, culminating in a parliamentary vote on Tuesday, July 1, where nearly 40 Labour lawmakers defied the government despite eleventh-hour concessions.

Starmer, who led Labour to a landslide victory on July 4, 2024, is grappling with a turbulent domestic agenda characterized by a sluggish economy, persistent high inflation, and declining personal approval ratings. The welfare reform vote saw a contentious amendment, aiming to soften cuts to disability benefits, face strong opposition from within his ranks, highlighting deep divisions. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall acknowledged listening to concerns, but the government’s efforts to mitigate the impact on 3.2 million people by 2030 were still met with defiance.

This welfare U-turn marks the third policy reversal for Starmer’s government in recent weeks, following abandoned plans for winter heating subsidies and a pressured inquiry into child sexual abuse. Critics argue these retreats, despite Labour’s significant parliamentary majority, signal a failure of leadership and complicate efforts to fund public services. The original welfare reforms aimed to save £5 billion annually, a figure now expected to be halved due to concessions.

Political analysts note Starmer’s challenging start, with some describing it as the “worst for any newly elected prime minister.” While the government points to achievements like minimum wage increases and new social housing projects, the ongoing struggles raise questions about Starmer’s ability to navigate future tough decisions and assert control over his party.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.