Policy Flip-Flops and an Epstein-Linked Appointment Weaken Starmer

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been politically strained by a string of reversals on his agenda, and his position suffered fresh damage after he named Peter Mandelson ambassador to the United States amid revelations of Mandelson’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Last summer more than 120 Labour lawmakers prepared to vote against a planned welfare overhaul, and Mr. Starmer abandoned the proposal. Other pullbacks included plans to narrow home-heating subsidies, raise taxes for farmers, make a digital ID mandatory and increase property taxes on pubs—each retreated after public or party backlash.

Those U-turns have pushed his approval ratings to unusually low levels: a late January Ipsos poll found 20 percent of British adults said they liked him and his net favorability was −50. The Mandelson appointment created global embarrassment and prompted demands for documents about the decision.

United Kingdom

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