Starmer Confident of Staying Prime Minister Through 2027 Amid Upcoming Elections
Keir Starmer told the BBC he expects to still be prime minister this time next year, citing a five-year mandate from his 2024 election victory. He asserted that the May 2026 elections for the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Parliament (Senedd), and various local authorities in England are not a referendum on his government. Starmer claimed he will remain in office through 2027 and suggested the possibility of repeating a long-form interview in January next year if the format works well.
Parliament is set to return after the Christmas recess, with the first Cabinet meeting of 2026 planned, where Starmer will address cost-of-living concerns for families. Reflecting on 2025, he noted a difficult year for Labour due to slowing economic growth, poor poll ratings, and leadership speculation. Starmer criticized the previous government for constant changes in leadership, calling it chaotic and not in the national interest.
The 7 May elections cover the Senedd, the Scottish Parliament, and many local English authorities. Currently, Labour governs the Senedd and administers numerous urban councils. In November, briefings surfaced alleging a leadership plot by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, which Streeting dismissed as nonsense. Additionally, there was premature publication of the Office for Budget Responsibility's response to Rachel Reeves' Budget before her announcement, with Conservative figure Kemi Badenoch criticizing Labour for having no plan.
