Has Starmer returned credibility to British politics or has the chaos continued?

It has been 100 days since Labour entered 10 Downing Street after winning one of the largest parliamentary majorities in the country’s history. However, this period has been marked by more chaos and controversy than many expected—especially given the cautious approach that defined their election campaign.

Since July 5th, when Labour returned to office after 14 years, the party’s time in government has been filled with significant moments, all transpiring in quick succession.

One of the first major actions was scrapping the Rwanda scheme just two days into office. Keir Starmer and the Labour Party reversed this policy, previously championed by Conservatives like Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman. In his first press conference, Starmer declared the Rwanda scheme “dead and buried,” calling it a “gimmick that did not act as a deterrent.” However, the government has yet to present a viable alternative for tackling people smugglers.

As geopolitical tensions continued abroad, Labour faced pressure regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict from millions within the public. After declaring that Israel had violated international humanitarian law, Labour reversed Conservative criticism of the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants issued for Israel’s prime minister. Subsequently, Foreign Secretary David Lammy suspended 30 out of 350 arms export licenses on September 3rd. Yet, as the conflict continues, Labour’s stance remains under scrutiny.

Labour’s domestic policy decisions have also been contentious. They voted against the SNP’s amendment to abolish the two-child benefit cap, scrapped the universal winter fuel payment, and replaced it with a means-tested alternative, leaving tens of thousands of pensioners on a “financial cliff edge.”

The government faced a significant challenge after just a month in power, with a large and unacknowledged problem of far-right extremism. Following the horrific Southport stabbings where three girls were murdered and ten others injured—misinformation spread online, falsely claiming the attacker at the Taylor Swift-themed event was a Muslim immigrant. This incited nationwide outrage and led to attacks on perceived immigrants.

In response, the government disclosed the perpetrator’s identity—a British-born individual of Rwandan origin—initially protected due to being under 18. Given the spread of misinformation and ensuing violence, the government deemed it appropriate to release the identity as he neared his 18th birthday.

Despite this, riots continued, shifting focus from targeting immigrants to general unrest. The government threatened rioters with severe criminal penalties, while some counter-protesters defended their communities. Since the start of the riots, numerous arrests have been made, including some as young as twelve.

Government officials also criticised far-right groups for inciting violence. Keir Starmer visited the families of the Southport victims and, in a crisis meeting with police chiefs, condemned the “far-right hatred” that fuelled the unrest.

Public dissatisfaction with the government has also grown following the early release of thousands of prisoners due to overcrowding in the UK’s prison system. While Starmer labelled this a “monumental failure of the last government,” it has not offered much protection to Labour from criticism. The mistaken release of 37 prisoners raised public safety concerns, though officials emphasized strict parole conditions and the inherent risks of such a scheme.

On a more individualistic note, Keir Starmer’s past has also come under scrutiny. As head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), he amassed just shy of £250,000 in travel expenses, including £40,000 on flights to destinations like Washington, Hong Kong, and South Africa. This sparked criticism, with some labelling him a “career freeloader.”

Freedom of Information requests revealed that Starmer’s travel expenses during his five years as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were similarly high, approaching £250,000, even though he earned a salary of £200,000 and received pension benefits totalling £336,000.

Another concerning revelation is that Starmer has accepted more gifts than any other MP since 2019, some valued over £100,000. Questions have also arisen about Starmer’s financial ties to Lord Waheed Alli, who is under investigation by the House of Lords Commissioner for “registry of interests.” Starmer responded by returning £6,000 worth of gifts to Lord Alli, raising further questions. For someone critical of his predecessors, Starmer now faces accusations of “lining his pockets.”

The upcoming Budget on October 30th will be a critical moment for Labour. Rachel Reeves’ reconsideration of plans to tax non-domiciled residents and potential adjustments to fiscal rules suggest the government is still finding its footing. While it may be too early to judge, this government lacks a coherent vision for Britain’s future.

Starmer has had some perceived successes, such as ending public sector strikes and managing the riots, but his administration has also faced significant criticism. Scandals, the cancellation of the winter fuel payment, and the recent departure of Chief of Staff Sue Gray have contributed to a sense of disarray in Number 10. Starmer has pledged to save the NHS and plans to unveil a 10-year strategy, alongside initiatives to cut energy bills, rebuild infrastructure, and invest in education.

The challenge now lies in ensuring that this government does not replicate the money-driven focus of its predecessors, but instead prioritizes stability and progress for the UK.