LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's position hung by a thread on Monday as he tried to persuade his Labour Party’s lawmakers not to oust him after merely a year and a half in office.
Starmer lost his chief of staff on Sunday and rapidly lost support from Labour legislators following revelations about the relationship between former British ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Starmer is expected to address Labour lawmakers behind closed doors later Monday in a bid to regain his lost authority.
This political turmoil stemmed from Starmer’s 2024 decision to appoint Mandelson to a significant diplomatic role, despite knowing about his connections to Epstein.
Starmer terminated Mandelson in September, following the publication of emails revealing Mandelson's continued friendship with Epstein after the financier's 2008 conviction for sexual offenses involving minors. Critics argue that Starmer should have anticipated the backlash against appointing Mandelson, a figure infamous for a myriad of scandals concerning ethics and finances.
The scrutiny intensified with the release of a new trove of Epstein files, unveiling further details about the connections and aligning added pressure on Starmer.
Starmer apologized last week for trusting Mandelson's misleading claims and has promised to release documentation regarding Mandelson’s appointment, which is claimed to show that Mandelson deceived officials regarding his ties to Epstein.
Furthermore, a police investigation is underway for potential misconduct relating to documents suggesting that Mandelson passed sensitive government information to Epstein over fifteen years ago, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Notably, Mandelson has not been arrested or charged and does not face allegations of sexual misconduct.
Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, resigned, stating, “I advised the prime minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice.”
As a key architect behind Labour’s substantial victory in the July 2024 elections, McSweeney’s resignation may serve to buy Starmer time to mend relations within the party and the public. Some party officials believe McSweeney’s exit signifies an opportunity for a reset.
While some within Labour champion Starmer’s leadership abilities, citing his strength and decisiveness, critics have voiced concerns that his decision-making is faltering. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch stated that Starmer's multiple bad decisions have rendered his position untenable.
Since his election, Starmer has faced difficulty in achieving economic reform, revamping public services, and alleviating the cost of living crisis, an effort that has become increasingly complex amid various policy missteps.
Opinion polls indicate that Labour often trails behind the far-right Reform UK party, raising discussions of potential leadership challenges, even prior to the Mandelson controversy.
Under the UK's parliamentary system, prime ministers can change without a national election; if Starmer faces a challenge or resigns, a leadership election will ensue, possibly leading to a new prime minister.
Starmer was elected on a platform to end the political instability characteristic of the Conservatives’ final years, a promise that has proven challenging in practice. Labour lawmaker Clive Efford cautioned that critics should “be careful what you wish for,” highlighting the turbulence faced previously when the Conservatives changed their leadership.
