From migration to Mandelson: Keir Starmer’s successes and failures in No 10

Keir Starmer pitched himself as a leader for “stability and moderation” who would rebuild Britain, after Labour’s landslide victory in the 2024 general election. But after two years which have seen unforced errors, economic headwinds, scandals and, most recently, a disastrous set of devolved, mayoral and local election results the UK is set to have its sixth prime minister in seven years. With the era of Starmer over, what are the major policy successes – and failures – of his time in office? Success: boosts for ‘working people’ Labour’s employment rights bill was hailed by Starmer as “the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation” when it came into law in December. While Labour backed down from its plan to give all workers the right to claim unfair dismissal from their first day in a job, the bill paved the way for significant new rights for workers on sick pay, parental leave and zero-hours contracts. Starmer leaving Downing Street for the last prime minister’s questions of 2025. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA Paul Nowak, the general secretary of the TUC, said the move was “historic” and gave workers “vital rights”, while the Conservatives and business groups said it would be costly to businesses and could lead to a hiring reticence. …