The Guardian view on Starmer's trust crisis: it is unlikely to be managed away | Editorial

"Once a political leader's net favourability sinks deep into negative territory, recovery is the exception, not the rule. It usually takes an economic rebound, a dramatic political reset or an opposition implosion to reverse the slide. Sir Keir Starmer's personal ratings are in a danger zone from which few escape. Yet the prime minister, like the Bourbons, has learnt nothing and forgotten nothing. He made a speech this week after coming close to being ousted suggesting he would fight on."

"He doubled down in parliament despite glaring errors in judgment. He forced out his cabinet secretary while his own failures remain unaddressed. He seemed to blame everyone but himself. When support slips and a leader answers with defiance, voters don't see strength they see denial. The bigger picture, as the Resolution Foundation said this week, is that living standards are forecast to rise up by just 0.3% a year until 2029-30 even weaker than the previous decade's 0.4% annual growth,"

"Britain, under Sir Keir's stewardship, is set to grow more slowly in normal times than it did during national emergencies. The prime minister's claim to responsible management is undone by his own incompetence. Public trust ebbs away a worry when voters start shopping around and Reform UK is selling racism. Stagnation exposes governments that lack an economic model. That is why interventions this week by Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, and Daisy Cooper, the Lib Dem Treasury spokesperson, matter."

Sir Keir Starmer's personal favourability has fallen into dangerously negative territory, with recovery rare without an economic rebound, dramatic political reset or opposition implosion. He responded to a near-ousting by doubling down publicly, dismissing his cabinet secretary while failing to address his own errors, a stance perceived as denial rather than strength. Forecasts project living standards will grow only 0.3% annually to 2029-30, weaker than the prior decade, signalling prolonged stagnation under current stewardship. Stagnation erodes public trust and creates political openings for parties like Reform UK. Proposals from Andy Burnham and Daisy Cooper seek structural fiscal change, including a Treasury breakup and a new growth department.

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