Starmer celebrates his first 100 days in Downing Street with low popularity. What are the reasons, in your opinion?
The dynamics of being in Government are quite different to being in opposition and Starmer is paying the price of facing economic realities that will require some difficult decisions that have drastically shortened the “honeymoon” period that governments typically enjoy. newly elected. Furthermore, he has never been a very charismatic Labor leader – unlike, for example, Tony Blair – and he is paying the price for the so-called “gifts” scandal that emerged last September and which has seriously tarnished his personal image.
Have the gifts received from Labor Party donors damaged his image as a man of integrity after his promises of change after the “Tory” scandals?
Yes, they did. While in opposition, Labour’s strategy was to present itself as honest and transparent, and to draw a contrast with Conservative prime ministers – from David Cameron to Boris Johnson and beyond – whom it tried to paint as unserious and entitled. to everything. Now, the same narrative is being applied to Starmer, both in the press and by political opponents, and its effect has been compounded by the fact that, instead of apologizing, he decided to try to “explain” the gifts: a communication strategy that is never wise or effective because it almost never changes the public’s perception of the topic or restarts the news cycle.
Could public spending cuts spark a rebellion in the Labor Party?
The size of Labour’s parliamentary majority is such that a stomach ache for some members would not be a problem. However, we have certainly seen some disappointed backbench MPs express their disapproval over measures such as the controversial proposal to scrap the winter fuel allowance. At this point, it’s more of an appearance and image issue than a real issue within the party, but they need something like a major political announcement to change the narrative and reshape the news agenda.
What are the reasons for the recent changes at Dowining Street to replace Sue Gray?
Sue Gray, a long-serving civil servant who led the investigation into Boris Johnson’s Partygate, had recently joined the Labor Party as it prepared to take power. While she was not involved in the “gifts” scandal, her role and salary came under scrutiny at the same time because she used to earn more than the prime minister. It is not entirely clear whether he was a scapegoat to try to show that action was being taken and change the debate. In any case, at this point his demotion does not appear to have helped Starmer or the Government regain ground in the British public.
