Mark Oaten, former chairman of the Liberal Democrats, has criticized Keir Starmer’s leadership and the state of his government, which has already undergone a significant reset just six months into power.
According to Oaten, hitting the “reset button” is usually a desperate move, signaling that previous strategies and decisions have failed. It’s a troubling sign for a government so early in its term, exposing a lack of strong leadership and cabinet talent.
Oaten contrasts Starmer’s government with Tony Blair’s, which began with a well-prepared and experienced team, including figures like Gordon Brown, Jack Straw, Robin Cook, and Mo Mowlem. By comparison, Starmer’s team, including Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner, lacks the same level of expertise and capability, according to Oaten.
While Starmer’s initial response to riots showed a firm approach, his government has since been marred by missteps. These include controversies over gifts of clothing and hospitality—issues that weren’t illegal but demonstrated poor judgment.
Oaten argues that policy mismanagement cannot be solved without bringing in experienced, media-savvy individuals to prevent mistakes from becoming public embarrassments.
He even suggests that someone like Alistair Campbell, with his media expertise, could have helped Starmer avoid these pitfalls.
Policy decisions have also caused problems for Starmer’s government. The choice to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners and impose new taxes on rural farms angered key voter groups and led to further political fallout.
Businesses are also feeling the strain, with increased National Insurance contributions sparking fears about inflation and job losses. Combined with slower interest rate reductions, falling business and retail forecasts, and stubborn inflation, the economic outlook under Starmer is grim.
Starmer’s ambitious plans, such as house-building targets and improving the NHS, face significant challenges. The NHS is already near breaking point, needing major funding and restructuring rather than just setting more targets.
Migration promises also seem hollow without stronger international cooperation, particularly with countries like France.
Oaten argues that Starmer’s government is already in trouble, with luck and good judgment running out far too soon.
He highlights that the Conservative Party often dealt with weak leadership by replacing leaders, a tactic unlikely to be used by Labour.
However, he predicts there will be several more resets during Starmer’s time in office, as the current approach appears to be failing.
