Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a robust defence of his leadership, vowing he will still be in Downing Street in 2027 and warning his critics against creating the kind of 'utter chaos' that doomed the Conservatives.
Starmer's Mandate and Warning Against Chaos
In a New Year interview with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Starmer directly addressed the speculation about his future that has swirled after a difficult 2025 marked by policy reversals, internal disputes, and disappointing opinion polls. He firmly dismissed the chatter, linking it to the fate of his predecessors.
The Prime Minister pointed to the rapid turnover of leaders in the last Tory government, arguing it resulted in complete disorder and was a major factor in their historic defeat at the 2024 general election. "Under the last government, we saw constant chopping and changing of leadership, of teams, it caused utter chaos," Starmer stated. "Nobody wants to go back to that. It's not in our national interest."
Focus on Delivery, Not a Leadership 'Referendum'
Mr Starmer emphasised that he was elected with a five-year mandate to transform the country and is focused solely on that task. He stated that his performance should be judged at the next election, based on whether he has delivered on the issues that matter most to the public.
He also sought to downplay the significance of the upcoming May elections across England, Wales, and Scotland, insisting they are not a 'referendum' on his leadership. This follows similar comments made to the Mirror in November, where he sought to quell doubts about his position by declaring he would lead Labour into the next national contest.
Domestic Pledges and International Distractions
As Parliament reconvenes, the Prime Minister's domestic agenda will centre on the cost of living. He has promised "no let up" in efforts to drive down costs for families. In a New Year message, he pledged that 2026 is the year people will start to feel the "positive change" they voted for in 2024.
His schedule includes meeting commuters to discuss support for passengers, following the first freeze in rail fares for over three decades.
However, international affairs threaten to divert attention. Starmer confirmed that Britain will discuss the "evolving situation" in Venezuela with American counterparts, after former US President Donald Trump ordered military action against the Maduro regime. The PM said his administration would "shed no tears" over the end of Maduro's rule.
Concluding his BBC interview with a confident prediction about his tenure, Starmer said: "I will be sitting in this seat by 2027 and if this long-form interview works, we can try it again in January of next year as well."
