UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – In his New Year’s message, Sir Keir Starmer pledges to rebuild Britain in 2025, despite tough Labour poll numbers and a difficult start as Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister promised the new year would focus on rebuilding, aiming to recover from the challenges of its half-year in power.
The British PM said the efforts to change Britain had started, but he understands it’s difficult for people to think about the future when they are just trying to survive the struggles of the present.
He stated, “I know there is still so much more to do.”
Sir Starmer compared the difficulties his government faced to those of the Attlee government in 1945, marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day in May.
At the end of 2024, Labour had the lowest poll rating since World War 2. This poll reveals that the current government could lose 200 seats if an election were held today. Meanwhile, Starmer’s team believes voters will change their views as public services improve in the new year.
Since Labour took office in July, it has faced many issues and backlash over Chancellor Rachel’s budget hikes and “freebies” scandal.
Labour insiders and pollsters are urging the Prime Minister to prove his commitment to workers in 2025.
As reported by The Guardian, Keir Starmer stated in his New Year message, “That is what we will be focusing on: a year of rebuilding. But also, rediscovering the great nation that we are, a nation that gets things done no matter how hard or tough the circumstances.”
The Labour leader said, “But that victory, and indeed the peace and the prosperity that followed, all rested on that same foundation we must rebuild today. The security of working people, that is the purpose of this government, the goal of our plan for change. And we will push it forward in 2025.”
The local elections in May will be Labour’s first difficult task since the general election, helping to show how the party is doing after looking strong a few months ago.
For the first time since becoming Prime Minister, Keir Starmer is spending New Year’s Eve on holiday with his family, having previously postponed his summer plans due to riots. After his brother, Nick Starmer, passed away on Boxing Day, he delayed his trip by a day but later joined his wife and children on Saturday.
When he rejoins this week, the Labour leader will face a tough agenda, including continued challenges with the NHS, overcrowded prisons, and ongoing small boat crossings. In recent polls, Labour is at 27%, with the Tories at 25% and Reform UK at 22%.
Following months of backlash against Britain’s economy and public services, some supporters have urged Starmer to take a more optimistic approach, as experts warn it may have hindered growth.
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, warned that her party could face a “bumpy”, but she assured that under her leadership the Tories would take a new approach.
The Lib Dem leader, Sir Ed, in his New Year message, argued that global instability has been “made worse” by Donald Trump’s re-election as US president.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage stated in his New Year message that Britain has had “bad leadership” for many years.
Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has promised to construct 1.5 million new homes in the next five years, reduce waiting lists significantly, and lower immigration.
Before Christmas, the prime minister along with other ministers wrote a joint letter to UK regulators to propose plans for growing the economy.