Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced humiliation when his government was forced into a series of humiliating U-turns over welfare reform, leaving him struggling to contain the damage.
The crisis began on Friday night when a massive U-turn was announced, and the situation escalated as Labour MPs continued to defy the party’s leadership. Despite having a majority, Starmer’s team struggled to respond effectively, with many MPs feeling they were being “shoved around” by parliament.
As the debate raged on, it became clear that Starmer had underestimated the strength of opposition from within his own ranks. The government’s attempts to reassure Labour MPs only made things worse, and soon senior officials were scrambling to contain the fallout.
In a dramatic turn of events, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner was forced to frantically phone her colleagues in an attempt to persuade them to back down. However, the rebels remained resolute, with some suggesting that Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall should resign without delay.
The crisis has left Starmer’s team reeling, with some accusing him of being out of touch with his own party members. The prime minister is now facing a daunting task: to regain control and restore confidence in his leadership.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: this is not just a matter of politics – it’s about Starmer’s ability to lead and make tough decisions. Can he get back on track before it’s too late? Only time will tell.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czry6gv80mjo