Keir Starmer's Authority In Tatters After Humiliating U-Turn On Welfare Cuts

Keir Starmer will mark his first year in office in eight days’ time.

With a majority of 165, he should be master of all he surveys, able to dictate the course of both his government and the country.

But the prime minister’s humiliating climbdown on his flagship plan to cut the welfare budget shows his authority is now in tatters.

Despite trying to dismiss opposition by more than 120 of his own MPs as “noises off” on Wednesday, the PM spent Thursday desperately trying to cut a deal with them.

And while it may be enough to avoid a Commons defeat next Tuesday, it leaves him hugely diminished – while also increasing the chances that Rachel Reeves will have to put up taxes in the Budget to pay for it.

In keeping with the shambolic nature of his government, details of the PM’s climbdown were finally issued to the media in the early hours of Friday morning.

Existing personal independence payments (PIP) and Universal Credit claimants will not be affected by the cuts, but those who receive them in future will be.

A review into the welfare system involving disabled groups has also been promised, which rather begs the question why this wasn’t done in the first place.

A No.10 spokesperson said: “We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system.

“This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system.

“Our reforms are underpinned by Labour values and our determination to deliver the change the country voted for last year.”

Rebel leader Meg Hillier MP, who has led the negotiations with the PM, said it was a “good deal” and urged her Labour colleagues to back it.

But others were less impressed, pointing out that Starmer has effectively agreed to a two-tier system, where disabled people with the same conditions will now be treated differently by the system, depending on when they submitted their claim.

Charlotte Gill, head of campaigns at the MS Society, said: “We urge MPs not to be swayed by these last-ditch attempts to force through a harmful bill with supposed concessions.

“The only way to avoid a catastrophe today and in the future is to stop the cuts altogether by halting the bill in its tracks.”

Left-wing MPs vowed to still vote against the government next week, but the reality is that Starmer has probably done enough to get his welfare reforms through.

However, the huge damage done to his political reputation will last far longer.