Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced a potentially awkward public moment as he poured a bowl of Cheerios for a child during a school visit, just as a growing rebellion within his own party threatens his political future.
A School Visit Amidst Political Turmoil
The scene at St Anne's Catholic Primary School near Reading was a world away from the fevered speculation in Westminster. Sir Keir was there to promote the Government's free breakfast clubs policy. However, the choice of cereal was noted by critics, coming at a time when a rising number of rebel MPs are saying they want to see him out of Number 10.
This visit was squeezed into his schedule just before he embarked on an 11,000-mile round trip to South Africa. He is due to touch down in Johannesburg today for a G20 summit, a trip that has drawn criticism given that other world leaders like Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin are not attending.
The 'Never Here Keir' Nickname and Travels
The Labour leader's frequent international travel has earned him the nickname 'Never Here Keir' among his detractors. This is his 35th overseas trip during his 17-month premiership. It is reported that Deputy PM David Lammy had warned him about his travels, but Sir Keir proceeded with the three-day journey to South Africa.
Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake seized on the trip, stating: 'Keir Starmer seems to spend more time stamping his passport than standing up for Britain.' The trip also cuts across crucial preparations for next week's Budget, which is widely seen as a make-or-break moment for both the Prime Minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
International Engagement vs Domestic Pressure
Downing Street has defended the Prime Minister's travel, saying it was 'important the PM engages with international leaders'. This trip follows recent diplomatic engagements where Sir Keir dined with German chancellor Friedrich Merz and French leader Emmanuel Macron in Berlin.
Despite the international calendar, the domestic pressure is mounting. The visit to the breakfast club in Reading was a brief return to domestic policy, but the clamour for him to say 'cheerio' from his critics shows no sign of diminishing.
