The year is drawing to a close, marking a full calendar year under a Labour government – the first since 2009. But has it been a success? A generous assessment might suggest “it could have been smoother.” A more honest appraisal reveals a year that has demonstrably shaken public trust in mainstream politics.
Whispers of a leadership challenge to Keir Starmer are already circulating, fueled by the upcoming results of May’s local elections. While such speculation may echo the turbulence of the previous administration, it’s hardly the ideal climate for a sitting Prime Minister. Understanding how we arrived at this point – the specific missteps and potential triumphs – is crucial.
A bright spot emerged in the spring with a flurry of significant trade deals. Agreements with India and the United States were announced within days of each other, followed by a UK-EU summit signaling a potential “reset.” Ministers continue to champion these deals, highlighting their perceived importance to the nation’s economic future.
The Renters’ Rights Act, granted Royal Assent this year, promises to be one of the government’s most impactful pieces of legislation. Effective May 2026, it will abolish “no-fault” evictions – a promise the previous government failed to deliver – and eliminate fixed-term leases, fundamentally altering the private rental sector.
A powerful moment arrived with Home Office Minister Jess Phillips’s annual reading of the names of women killed by men in Parliament. This tenth anniversary of the solemn tradition underscored the government’s commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, with a new protection order for victims already utilized over 1,000 times in its first year.
Donald Trump’s state visit in September presented a delicate diplomatic challenge. Despite the preceding scandal involving Peter Mandelson’s dismissal as US Ambassador, the visit itself unfolded with surprisingly few missteps, even navigating a potentially fraught press conference at Chequers.
However, immigration remains a deeply divisive issue. The year saw protests in Epping, Prime Minister Starmer’s controversial “island of strangers” remark (later retracted), and significant gains for Reform UK in local elections. The government struggles to demonstrate control, with asylum hotel occupancy rising throughout the summer.
Internal divisions within the Labour party surfaced with Andy Burnham’s unsuccessful attempt to challenge Starmer’s leadership. Simultaneously, ill-advised briefings from Downing Street suggesting a coup attempt by Wes Streeting further eroded the Prime Minister’s authority.
The unexpected resignation of Angela Rayner, then Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, sent shockwaves through Westminster. Her departure, stemming from admitted tax underpayments, deprived the government of a key communicator and influential voice. While a setback, it briefly overshadowed Reform’s party conference, leaving open the possibility of a future return.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has faced significant economic headwinds, struggling to stimulate growth despite prioritizing it as her primary goal. A major U-turn on planned reforms to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and other benefits in June, coupled with questions surrounding the clarity of her recent Budget, have added to the challenges.
Prime Minister Starmer recently asserted that the public will see the benefits of his government’s approach in the coming year, not just in statistics but in their communities. Only time will tell if this promise will be fulfilled, and whether the government can regain the confidence of a skeptical nation.
