Optimism and Obstacles: Sir Keir Starmer's First 100 Days as Prime Minister

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the British Labour Party, is celebrating a significant milestone: 100 days as Prime Minister. The Labour Party, in opposition for 14 years, achieved a remarkable victory in the elections in July, defeating the Conservatives in a rare political shift. However, during his tenure, Starmer has faced declining poll numbers. A scandal involving the receipt of free gifts has been widespread, and in an effort to streamline operations at Downing Street, he had to dismiss his chief of staff. Consequently, the atmosphere at the recent Labour conference in Liverpool was more contemplative than celebratory. Starmer remains optimistic that voters will overlook the initial challenges if he succeeds in reforming public services, achieving economic growth, and advancing housing and green energy projects. Some ministers believe Starmer has already made significant progress in areas such as green energy and labor market reforms, although questions remain regarding improvements in fiscal management and healthcare. New clarity might be provided by the budget plan on October 30, in which Finance Minister Rachel Reeves must address the government's stringent financial challenges. Reeves plans to amend fiscal rules and introduce various wealth taxes to enable long-term capital investments without resorting to new austerity measures. However, these steps carry political risks. An upcoming investment summit in London with Starmer and Reeves aims to convince global investors of the UK's economic openness. Yet, scheduled just two weeks before the budget plan, the event faces a challenging outlook as the prospect of potential tax hikes could dominate the discussions. Internally, Starmer is described as less detail-oriented than his predecessor Rishi Sunak, but some doubt his leadership. Particularly, the slow appointment of ministerial roles and the departure of his closest adviser, Sue Gray, have influenced perceptions of the new government. Despite the turbulence, Labour remains nearly unrivaled in the House of Commons, and Starmer has the potential to implement his plans. According to Tom Baldwin, author of "Keir Starmer, The Biography," the previous missteps could serve as a learning process that benefits Starmer in his political career long-term. Equipped with tenacity and resilience, he remains a strong political figure who may achieve a second term.