UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has dismissed doubts over his leadership and confidently predicted that he will remain prime minister this time next year. Speaking exclusively to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Starmer addressed questions about his political future, upcoming elections, and the challenges facing his government.

The remarks come after a difficult 2025 for the prime minister, which saw slowing economic growth, poor opinion poll ratings, and rumors of potential leadership challenges within the Labour Party.

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Starmer on Leadership and Mandate

Starmer emphasized his commitment to the five-year mandate he received in the 2024 general election. He told the BBC:

“I was elected in 2024 with a five-year mandate to change the country, and that’s what I intend to do, to be faithful to that mandate. And I will be judged, and I know I’ll be judged, when we get to the next election, on whether I’ve delivered on the key things that matter most to people.”

The prime minister also rejected the notion that the May 2026 elections in Scotland, Wales, and local authorities in England should be interpreted as a referendum on his leadership.

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Addressing Political Chaos

Reflecting on the turmoil of the previous Conservative government, Starmer highlighted his commitment to stable leadership:

“Under the last government, we saw constant chopping and changing of leadership, of teams, it caused utter chaos… Nobody wants to go back to that. It’s not in our national interest.”

He reassured the public and his party that he will remain in office, adding:

“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.”

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Key Policy Focus for 2026

As Parliament returns from the Christmas recess, Starmer is set to hold his first Cabinet meeting of 2026. The prime minister signaled that tackling the cost of living crisis will remain a top priority.

“I know families across the country are still worried about the cost of living,” he said. “There will be no let-up in our fight to make life better for them.”

Starmer’s government is also preparing for potentially high-stakes elections to the Welsh Parliament (Senedd), the Scottish Parliament, and various local authorities in England on 7 May, all of which could influence Labour’s political momentum.

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Recent Political Challenges

Starmer acknowledged the difficulties of 2025, including:

• Speculation about a leadership plot by Health Secretary Wes Streeting in November, which Streeting called “self-defeating nonsense.”
• A perceived policy U-turn on income tax rates ahead of the Budget.
• The premature release of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) analysis of Rachel Reeves’ Budget before its official announcement.

Despite these setbacks, Starmer remains confident in his mandate and ability to deliver positive change for the UK.

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Criticism from Opposition

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the prime minister, claiming Labour’s policies have worsened the cost of living:

“Labour have no plan to fix Britain and working families are paying the price. Starmer expects gratitude when it’s his decisions that have made the cost of living worse.”

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Looking Ahead

Starmer’s interview makes it clear that he intends to consolidate his leadership and guide the UK through 2026 with stability, focusing on economic recovery, public confidence, and preparation for elections. Analysts suggest that the coming months will be crucial for Labour as it seeks to maintain support amid a turbulent political climate.