Keir Starmer’s fatal flaw? The blankness on to which voters projected their years of frustration
His government was directionless and confused, and from that murk emerged the Peter Mandelson scandal
TL;DR
- Keir Starmer's unpopularity was linked to a perceived 'blankness' and lack of a coherent story about his government.
- His approval rating hit -66, the lowest recorded for a PM.
- Public memory of controversial decisions, such as cutting pensioners' winter fuel allowances, lingered.
- Numerous policy U-turns on issues like welfare reform and inheritance tax eroded public trust.
- Starmer's shift from supporting Black Lives Matter to embracing zealous patriotism was seen as a lack of consistency.
- Voters, weary from austerity, Brexit, the pandemic, and the cost of living crisis, felt Starmer's government offered no clear path forward.
- The Peter Mandelson affair further damaged the government's image.
- Modern voters prefer flamboyant, outspoken leaders, a role Starmer did not fulfill.
- Starmer's premiership was described as flat and directionless, with a final approval rating of -46.