Starmer tells BBC 'I'll be PM this time next year'

Starmer tells BBC 'I'll be PM this time next year'

In an exclusive interview with the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Sir Keir Starmer confidently addressed ongoing doubts about his leadership, asserting that he expects to remain prime minister a year from now. Despite facing a challenging year in 2025 marked by sluggish economic growth, disappointing poll results, and rumors of potential leadership contests, he remains steadfast in his position. Starmer emphasized that the upcoming elections in Scotland, Wales, and England scheduled for May should not be viewed as a referendum on his government’s performance.

Reflecting on his New Year’s Day message, the prime minister highlighted his determination to counter what he described as “decline and division” and predicted that 2026 would bring “positive change” for the public. He reiterated that his mandate, granted by voters in 2024 for five years, guides his mission to enact meaningful reforms across the country. “I will be judged… on whether I’ve delivered on the key things that matter most to people,” he said, recognizing that his performance will ultimately be scrutinized at the next election.

Parliament is scheduled to resume after the Christmas break on Monday, with Starmer planning to convene his first Cabinet meeting of 2026 shortly thereafter. He is anticipated to address ministers about ongoing concerns over the cost of living, pledging continued efforts to improve everyday life for families across the nation. “There will be no let-up in our fight to make life better for them,” he declared, signaling a firm commitment to tackling this pressing issue.

During the interview, Starmer also reflected on the previous government’s frequent leadership upheavals, which he blamed for creating “utter chaos” that contributed to the Conservative Party’s decisive defeat. Highlighting the importance of stable leadership, he insisted, “Nobody wants to go back to that. It’s not in our national interest.” Confident about his tenure, he concluded, “I will be sitting in this seat by 2027 and if this long-form interview works, we can try it again in January of next year as well.” His remarks come with just over five months remaining until vital elections in the Welsh Parliament, Scottish Parliament, and numerous local councils across England, contests that could significantly impact Labour’s influence, especially given its current control of the Senedd and several urban authorities

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