Keir Starmer in Panic Mode as He Regrets Decisions That Could Lead to His Resignation

Labour is facing growing pressure from within its own ranks after suffering losses in last week’s local elections. Many MPs are worried that the decision to cut winter fuel payments could hurt the party even more in future elections. The move has caused a lot of anger among both voters and party members, especially after Reform UK made big gains at the polls.

Since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister, his team has been trying to manage the backlash. While a full reversal of the winter fuel payment cut isn’t expected, they are now considering easing the impact — possibly by increasing the income threshold from £11,500, which is the point at which pensioners lose access to the payment.

Labour MPs have spoken out loudly against the fuel and welfare cuts, saying the changes have made people across the country feel abandoned, especially older and low-income voters. There are also fears about more cuts coming later in the year, as the government moves into what’s being described as a “second stage” of its cost-saving plans.

During the election campaign, many local Labour activists heard complaints from residents about benefits and the rising cost of living. These issues appear to have helped Reform UK attract more support, especially in areas like Runcorn & Helsby, where Labour barely held on. The narrow win in Doncaster also highlighted voter frustration, with the city’s new mayor Ros Jones publicly urging Starmer to rethink his policies.

Diane Abbott agreed, saying Labour needs to listen more to what the public is saying about cost-of-living issues, including winter fuel payments, the NHS, and energy bills. She accused the party of turning against its own voters instead of supporting them through hard times.

Another MP, Brian Leishman, also criticized the government’s approach over the last 10 months. He warned that unless Labour makes real improvements in people’s lives soon, they risk being replaced by a far-right government.

Meanwhile, Reform UK celebrated a huge boost in support, gaining 17 percent from former Labour voters. Their close race in Runcorn & Helsby — where Reform’s candidate Sarah Pochin came within a tiny margin of victory — broke a decades-old record for the narrowest by-election result since 1945.

The election night was seen as a major test for Nigel Farage and Reform UK’s popularity — and many now believe they’ve proven they can challenge Labour on a serious level. As pressure grows, Labour is now at a crossroads: either change course or risk losing even more ground to a rising political rival.