UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour chairwoman Anna Turley says Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will “absolutely” remain in office next Christmas, with people seeing the impact of policies.
As reported by David Lynch in The Independent, Labour chair Anna Turley insists Sir Keir Starmer will be Prime Minister next December, pledging cost-of-living relief and improved public services.
What did Anna Turley say about Keir Starmer being PM next Christmas?
Anna Turley said people would start noticing the Government’s promised changes in their daily lives over the coming year.
As the year ends, the Prime Minister faces mounting challenges: declining poll numbers, reports of unrest within Labour, and concerns that government efforts are failing to make an impact.
During an interview, Ms Turley was asked whether Sir Keir Starmer would remain Prime Minister by next Christmas.
She replied,
“Of course, absolutely. As I said, people will really start to see and feel the change in their pockets.”
“Keir’s got a very clear vision for making sure that people can really deal with the cost of living, that public services will get back on their on their feet, and he’s building a Britain that is tolerant, that is open, that is confident in itself, and that is really about renewal and investment in young people, as opposed to the division and the decline of the opposition,”
Ms Turley added.
She said,
“I’ve sat around that cabinet table and there’s a team there that are ruthlessly focused on delivering on a day to day basis, whether it’s the NHS, whether it’s education, whether it’s defence, whether it’s housing.”
The Labour chair continued,
“This is a team behind that is determined to deliver on the promises that we made last year and to support a prime minister that’s got a clear vision for a renewal of this country.”
What did Wes Streeting say about his support for Keir Starmer?
Speaking to The Observer, Health Secretary Wes Streeting affirmed his “absolute support” for the Prime Minister.
He refuted reports in November suggesting he aimed to replace Sir Keir, after a sharp briefing clash at the heart of Government.
The Health Secretary rejected claims of a joint leadership bid with Angela Rayner, saying,
“The closer I see that job and the pressure on Keir and the demands of that job, the more I wonder why anyone would want it.”
What did Labour members say about Keir Starmer’s leadership?
A November Labour members’ poll found that Andy Burnham, Ed Miliband, former deputy leader Angela Rayner, and Wes Streeting would all beat Keir Starmer in a direct leadership challenge.
Research by Survation for LabourList found that Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner would beat the Prime Minister by significant margins, while Mr Streeting and Mr Miliband hold only a slight, statistically uncertain lead.
The survey also showed that 54% of Labour members want a new leader in place before the next election. Among Starmer’s 2020 supporters, 41% back a new leader, while 40% want him to continue.
Emma Burnell, the editor of LabourList, said,
“Starmer’s team have made it clear that he would contest a leadership contest were one to arise. Of course, that was a week ago and we all know that’s a long time in politics.”
She added,
“It may well be that if it came to it Starmer would decide a contest in which he ran – and was possibly defeated – was too damaging to the party in the long term.”
All the potential contenders have rejected claims of plans to oust the Prime Minister, with Manchester Mayor repeatedly ruling out a leadership bid.
Mr Burnham said,
“I’m doing my job to the best of my ability, and I’m trying to help the country and the government by putting forward the kind of plan that I’m putting forward today. Not constantly answering hypothetical questions.”
He added,
“What I do know is, I’m mayor of the most successful city region in the country, the fastest-growing, and it’s my job to put forward a plan rather than go back to my old world, where everyone is constantly speculating about everything, not putting forward solutions for the benefit of the country.”
Another YouGov poll found 23% of Labour voters believe Sir Keir Starmer should resign immediately, with a further 22% saying he should step down before the next election, and just 34% wanting him to remain leader until 2029.