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yesterday

Starmer Demands Cabinet Unity and Cost‑of‑Living Focus as Polls Put Labour in Third

He told ministers their year will be judged on whether households feel better off as Reform UK leads national polling before May’s elections.

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Overview

  • At the first Cabinet meeting of 2026, Keir Starmer ordered discipline and a laser focus on easing living costs, saying voters will judge Labour on pay, public services and safety.
  • New YouGov figures published Tuesday put Reform UK on 26%, the Conservatives on 19% and Labour on 17%, marking Labour’s first drop behind the Tories since 2024 and underscoring a difficult May test.
  • Starmer highlighted a rail‑fare freeze, help with energy bills and a higher National Living Wage, arguing households will begin to feel better off this year as interest rates fall.
  • The prime minister vowed to remain in No 10 through 2027 and warned that any leadership move against him would be a “gift” to Nigel Farage, accusing Reform of feeding grievance and division.
  • Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar urged Starmer to stay out of Holyrood campaigning, as polls show the SNP ahead and Reform pressing Labour, while Starmer’s openness to closer single‑market alignment drew fresh Brexit criticism.