The pressure on Sir Keir Starmer has reached a new peak this week, as a leading political magazine appears to question his grip on power.
The New Statesman, often called the ‘Bible of the Left,’ published a detailed feature asking if the Prime Minister truly understands just how precarious his position has become.
Inside the 2,500-word piece, the magazine highlights what it calls “mutinous talk” simmering within Labour’s ranks.
According to the report, MPs are whispering behind Sir Keir’s back, mixing mockery, sarcasm, and even dark gallows humour as they critique his leadership just 16 months into his term.
Labour Insiders Speak Out
The feature includes candid assessments from aides and party insiders.
One source told the publication bluntly: “He doesn’t understand politics or the Labour Party, he doesn’t have a vision, he’s a terrible communicator.
We’ve always known these things about him, but we put up with it when we were doing OK against the Tories.”
These criticisms come amid speculation about possible plots to challenge Sir Keir, though Health Secretary Wes Streeting was quick to deny any involvement.
He responded to the rumours in a series of late-night briefings, insisting that they were baseless and calling for accountability.
Leadership Speculation Amid Budget Concerns
Westminster insiders are now watching closely ahead of the upcoming Budget, which is expected in two weeks.
Concerns are mounting that the Prime Minister’s position could be further threatened if proposed tax hikes spark voter backlash.
Both Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have not ruled out breaking Labour’s manifesto promises on income tax, National Insurance, and VAT, raising fears of falling poll ratings.
Fighting Rumours and Maintaining Control
In interviews on Wednesday, Mr Streeting hit out at the source of the leadership rumours, joking that those spreading them must have been “watching too much Celebrity Traitors.”
The briefings reportedly aimed to check manoeuvres by senior figures within the party, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
Allies of the PM have vowed to confront any attempts to force a leadership contest head-on.
Mr Streeting also noted that the episode reinforced calls from Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell to change the “culture” in Downing Street, suggesting that the PM’s team is trying to tighten internal discipline while managing dissent.
Frustration Among Labour MPs
The New Statesman article captures growing frustration within the parliamentary Labour Party.
One MP lamented that Sir Keir is “squandering the opportunity of a generation,” reflecting concerns over lost momentum since last year’s landslide election.
Another criticised the PM’s recent approach to the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, highlighting a failure to contribute to the event’s flagship deforestation fund.
Labour insiders worry that such missteps could continue to push voters toward the Greens.
“We are haemorrhaging votes to the Greens.
The least we could do is just plant some f***ing trees,” one MP said, capturing the mix of exasperation and urgency felt across the party.
What Comes Next for Sir Keir
With the Budget looming and internal tensions escalating, Sir Keir Starmer faces a delicate balancing act.
The coming weeks will be crucial not only for government policy but for his leadership standing, as whispers of dissatisfaction continue to circulate through Labour’s corridors of power.