Two years after Keir Starmer led Labour to a historic landslide election victory on July 5, 2024, ending 14 years of Conservative rule, the party is marking the anniversary amid his resignation and a leadership contest. Starmer, who promised voters 'change' and that politics would 'tread more lightly on your lives,' announced his resignation last month after months of bitter infighting over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador, poor local election results, and ministerial resignations.
Starmer's resignation and internal divisions
In his resignation speech, Starmer said: 'The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election. I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question. And I accept that answer with good grace.' One minister told The Mirror ahead of the anniversary: 'It's hard to know how to feel about it until we know what happens next.' They expressed cautious optimism about a potential Andy Burnham premiership, citing his clarity of vision. 'It wasn't always clear what Keir's priorities were,' the minister added.
Policy missteps and backbench anger
Starmer's errors, including U-turns on winter fuel cuts and plans to slash £5 billion in disability benefits, sparked massive anger among Labour backbenchers. One left-leaning MP said Burnham's premiership must mark a 'new culture,' adding: 'There is much to highlight in just two years of Labour in power which will make a real difference to people's lives, but the administration failed to engage and listen to what its Party, its MPs and the wider country was saying on too many occasions.'
Unfulfilled pledges and migration concerns
Progress on a Hillsborough law, a key manifesto pledge, has stalled, which one MP called 'extremely disappointing.' Starmer also faced criticism for trying to 'out-Reform Reform' on migration, including his remark about Britain becoming 'an island of strangers,' which he later regretted. A ministerial aide said: 'Given the threat from Reform, I'm approaching the next three years with a renewed sense of resolve.'
Achievements and international reputation
Despite the setbacks, some MPs celebrated achievements like the Renters' Rights Act and workers' rights. One long-serving MP praised Starmer's international performance: 'Labour came to power and inherited an Armed Forces that had been hollowed out. Keir Starmer set about restoring our international reputation. The PM has done an excellent job at an unbelievably difficult time.'
Need for a compelling vision
Many blame a lack of clear narrative for the government's struggles. One 2024 intake MP said: 'We haven't been able to yet articulate a sufficiently compelling vision for where we want to take the country.' Ed Owen, Think Labour's executive director of political strategy, said Starmer 'wasn't able to articulate a strong overall coherent vision of change' and that Burnham's ability to connect with voters through storytelling is his 'great asset.'
