Starmer Faces Party Rebellion, Welfare Bill, Poll Slump UK-Wide

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's welfare reform bill faced significant challenges as he was forced into multiple concessions to pass it through Parliament, notably shelving controversial cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) after a major rebellion within his own party. The watered-down bill, originally expected to save £5 billion, is now projected to save little or potentially cost more, creating a £5 billion budget shortfall and further complicating Chancellor Rachel Reeves' fiscal planning. The bill passed with a reduced majority, with 49 Labour MPs voting against it—the largest rebellion in a prime minister's first year since 1997—raising questions about Starmer's authority and competence. Critics, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, have condemned Starmer's handling of the welfare reforms as a sign he is not fit to govern, while Labour officials maintain party unity despite acknowledging lessons must be learned. The public’s confidence in Starmer remains low, with polls showing only a quarter of British adults believe he will win the next general election, partly due to the welfare row and perceived government incompetence. The series of policy reversals and internal dissent underscore a broader struggle within Starmer's leadership as he navigates both political and economic pressures less than a year into his premiership.