Sir Keir Starmer's government is braced for a fresh wave of policy reversals, with Labour MPs openly anticipating more chaotic U-turns from the embattled Prime Minister. The mood in Westminster is mutinous, with even Cabinet ministers reportedly joking about the administration's chronic inability to stick to its guns.
A Reputation for Flip-Flopping Cemented
Just a fortnight into the new year of 2026, Sir Keir has cemented his reputation for political volatility with two major concessions. Having spent months championing digital ID cards as a vital tool for curbing illegal immigration, the Prime Minister bowed to a fierce backlash yesterday by confirming the scheme will now be entirely voluntary.
In a parallel climbdown, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced she is drawing up a rescue package for thousands of pubs facing collapse. This follows her own Budget decisions that hiked business rates, pushing the sector to the brink. There is now widespread speculation that this relief will have to be extended to the wider hospitality industry, including hotels and restaurants, placing further strain on the Treasury.
Cabinet Tensions and Rebellious Backbenchers
The retreats have opened the floodgates to internal dissent. Health Secretary Wes Streeting delivered a thinly-veiled rebuke to the Prime Minister during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. When asked if he was sure controversial plans to curb jury trial rights would be implemented, given the government's record of 13 major U-turns, he replied: "Yes... As sure as any of us can be."
He went further, suggesting that on "big things or things that might be controversial" the government should "have the debate in advance of the decision rather than the debate after the decision." Mr Streeting also revealed the government is now looking seriously at an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s, a policy ministers had previously been cool on, despite Sir Keir stating last month he was not personally in favour of a blanket ban.
Backbench anger is palpable. Labour MP Karl Turner, leading a revolt on the jury trial plans, stated the "Cabinet has embarrassed the Parliamentary Labour Party on so many issues now" and it was "causing pain." On social media, he fumed: "They keep marching us up hills, defending the indefensible, only to be marched back down again. Come on now @Keir_Starmer get a grip."
Leadership Questions and a Critical Election Test
The sense of weakness is particularly striking for a Prime Minister who, just 18 months ago, marched triumphantly into Downing Street with one of the largest Commons majorities in history. Science Secretary Peter Kyle admitted yesterday he was "concerned" about the government's communication strategy.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves attempted to quell rumours about Sir Keir's future, insisting there was "no credible alternative" as Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Ed Miliband urged restless MPs to see that changing course was better than "digging in." Sir Keir himself denied the ID card shift was a U-turn, despite the compulsory element being scrapped.
All eyes are now on the local elections in May, which are increasingly viewed as a critical moment that could decide the Prime Minister's political fate. With MPs in open revolt and the Cabinet divided, Sir Keir's authority faces its sternest test yet.
