Here’s a timeline of Keir Starmer’s most significant mistakes and U‑turns since becoming Prime Minister in July 2024. It highlights the major reversals and controversies that have weakened his leadership and public standing.
Timeline of Mistakes and U‑Turns
- July 2024 – Election victory paradox
- Labour won a landslide majority (411 seats) but only 33.7% of the popular vote, leaving many MPs on thin margins and vulnerable.
- Autumn 2024 – Broken tax pledges
- Labour had promised not to raise key taxes, but Chancellor Rachel Reeves began signalling possible increases, undermining credibility.
- Late 2024 – Welfare reform controversy
- Plans to restrict Personal Independence Payments (PIP) sparked outrage, with over 120 Labour MPs signing a wrecking amendment.
- January 2025 – Private schools policy reversal
- Labour abandoned its pledge to scrap charitable status for private schools, opting instead for VAT and business rate changes.
- Spring 2025 – Green investment U‑turn
- The flagship £28bn green investment plan was scaled back, angering environmental groups and Labour members.
- June 2025 – Winter fuel payments cut reversed
- Reeves announced cuts to pensioners’ winter fuel payments, but backlash forced a reversal, damaging credibility.
- July 2025 – Welfare bill collapse
- Starmer abandoned central parts of his welfare reform just minutes before a Commons vote, after mass rebellion from Labour MPs.
- Autumn 2025 – Gender identity and grooming gangs policy shifts
- Labour shifted positions on sensitive social issues, seen as opportunistic flip‑flopping.
- November 2025 – Income tax U‑turn
- Plans to raise income tax were scrapped at the last minute, leaving ministers furious and fuelling coup rumours against Starmer.
Overall Pattern
- Repeated U‑turns on welfare, taxation, education, and green policy have eroded trust.
- Internal rebellions (over 120 MPs on welfare, 130 MPs on amendments) show weak control of his majority.
- Public perception: Polls now rate Starmer among the most unpopular UK Prime Ministers, with satisfaction at historic lows.
Takeaway
Since July 2024, Starmer’s government has faced at least 8 major U‑turns and mistakes, ranging from welfare cuts to tax pledges. These reversals have created a narrative of indecision and weakened authority, with critics arguing he has lost control of both policy direction and party unity.
Lord Waheed Alli, a Labour peer and major donor, has been at the centre of corruption and “freebies” controversies linked to Keir Starmer’s government. Investigations have focused on undeclared interests, lavish gifts, and offshore business ties.
Key Allegations and Investigations
Freebies Scandal (2024–2025)
- Lord Alli donated tens of thousands of pounds worth of clothing, glasses, and accommodation to Keir Starmer, his wife, and senior Labour ministers.
- Examples include:
- £20,000 worth of accommodation in his Covent Garden flat for Starmer’s son to study for exams.
- Clothing allowances for Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Deputy PM Angela Rayner.
- Use of his Manhattan flat by Angela Rayner for New Year’s Eve.
- These donations raised concerns about influence and transparency, as ministers are required to declare such gifts.
House of Lords Investigation
- The Lords Commissioner for Standards launched a probe into Alli for possible breaches of the members’ code of conduct, specifically around non‑registration of interests.
- The investigation focused on whether Alli failed to properly declare gifts and his business interests while influencing parliamentary actions.
Tax Haven Interests
- An openDemocracy investigation revealed Alli failed to declare his directorship at Mac (BVI) Limited, a British Virgin Islands company.
- He later admitted the omission was an “unintentional error” and updated his register of interests.
- Documents suggest he could be entitled to £425,000 in incentive payments from the firm, raising questions about offshore financial ties.
Public Fallout
- The scandal has been politically damaging for Starmer, with critics accusing him of being too close to wealthy donors.
- Starmer defended the donations, insisting they were within the rules, but acknowledged “the public have questions” about transparency.
- A viral AI‑generated deepfake video falsely showing Starmer kissing Alli added fuel to the controversy, though it was quickly debunked.
Takeaway
- Lord Alli’s controversies combine undeclared offshore interests, lavish gifts to ministers, and ongoing investigations by the House of Lords.
- While Starmer insists no rules were broken, the optics of ministers accepting luxury items and accommodation from a wealthy donor have intensified accusations of corruption and weakened public trust in his government.
