Dan – LVI
On reflection of the 2024 UK General Election results, I think it is safe to say that Kier Starmer, PM and leader of the Labour party was pretty popular in 2024. However, this popularity did not seem to last long because by the end of 2025, Starmer is one of the most disliked politicians we have today. You may ask why that is, well it has been gradually happening over the last year or so due to Starmer’s lack of care for the public by showing little to no commitment to the Labour manifesto.
One of the most damaging factors is Starmer’s reputation for inconsistency. Since he became Labour leader, he has repeatedly changed his position on major policies, including nationalisation, tuition fees, taxation and spending rules. Flexibility might work now and then in political life, but Starmer’s habit of shifting stances has become his trademark. What could pass for switched on and adaptable feels more like avoidance. People notice Starmer often repeating old phrases and old scripts (if he’s not deflecting a question at least). That repetition makes it hard to believe any statement will last. Confidence in leadership fades if the person won’t stand by what they said yesterday which I would say reflects Starmer perfectly, never sticking to his word and always changing his mind. This seriously damages trust and makes it hard for the public to believe that he would govern with clarity or direction. These U-turns also add to the feeling of weak leadership. Good leaders should set a clear path and stick to it, even when it’s not popular. Starmer, however, often seems to react instead. He changes his position based on media pressure. This gives the impression that he is following events instead of leading them. Over time, this hurts his authority. Voters find it hard to view him as someone who can make tough decisions and stand by them because he is so indecisive and lacks commitment when he does things.
Another important reason for Starmer’s unpopularity is his failure to create a clear vision for the country. Much of his political identity is based on rejecting and criticising the past rather than outlining the future. He frequently talks about competence and responsibility but these are qualities that he rarely uses in the context of politics and qualities that he doesn’t use when attempting to outline the country’s future. The public is left unsure on what Britain would actually look like under his leadership in the future. Without a strong narrative or ideological direction, his leadership feels empty. Politics is not just about running systems efficiently, it is also about offering purpose and improvements in which Starmer struggles to do so. This problem is worsened by his image as a London-centric, city based politician. Starmer is more comfortable in legal institutions and Westminster than in communities outside major cities.
However, the most significant reason for Keir Starmer’s unpopularity is his lack of charisma. To put it simply, he could be one of the most boring and unlikable politicians in the 21st century. His speeches are usually unconvincing and timid, showing a lack of authority. His public appearances lack enthusiasm and his carefully prepared speeches are rarely memorable. The only times they are memorable is when he slips up like when he blurted “Return of the sausages!” instead of hostages when at a Labour party conference in Liverpool in September 2024.
Overall, Keir Starmer’s unpopularity is not unnecessary. It comes from a clear pattern of poor leadership, constant U-turns, lack of vision, and a serious charisma issue. While he presents himself as competent and responsible, many voters see a leader who lacks inspiration and authority. Without clear principles or personal appeal, Starmer struggles to persuade the public that he is capable of leading the country with confidence or direction. Plus he’s just incredibly boring and I hope this blog was more interesting than one of his speeches.