Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that the first three months of his tenure as Prime Minister have been “choppy days,” admitting the experience is “much tougher than anything I’ve done before but much better.” On a BBC Newscast interview, he said some early governance victories include overcoming pay disputes in the health service and initiating a major overhaul of workers’ rights.
Despite these successes, Starmer admitted encountering “bumps and side winds,” referencing internal issues like controversies over donations and staffing problems. His former chief of staff, Sue Gray, recently resigned amid reported infighting within his senior team.
Starmer has paid more than £6,000 in claimed gifts after a scandal over gifts and hospitality. But he is optimistic about his chances: “When I look at what I wanted to achieve in the first 100 days. the answer is yes,” while also dropping hints on efforts to tackle NHS waiting lists in the Budget to be published next month.
The conservative party responded critically, claiming that Labour has been woefully inefficient in different sectors and that the next 100 days could be even tougher for Starmer.
Starmer spoke out about his Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, who described P&O Ferries as “cowboy operators” after they made the unpopular decision to axe 800 seafarers last year. Her words are said to have prompted the parent company, DP World, to refuse to confirm a huge £1bn investment in the UK. Starmer sought to distance himself from Haigh’s words when he told reporters that the government remained a pro-business organisation.
Reflecting on his private life since moving into Downing Street, Starmer reflected on challenges of being away from family but identified a silver lining-the ability to see his children for short spells when they come to visit after school.