One year on, UK political mood darkens as Starmer faces migrant and policy fallout

A year after Sir Keir Starmer delivered his first Labour conference address as prime minister, a Daily Mail commentary portrays a nation in gloom, fear and anger as it surveys the government’s first year in power.

The column recalls the heady days when Starmer spoke of renewing Britain and delivering sweeping reforms, but argues that the reality many voters now see is far from those promises. It cites a record-low personal approval rating for an incoming prime minister and references a poll suggesting Labour would lose a substantial number of seats if an election were held today, with Reform UK seen as the potential beneficiary. The piece frames these signals as evidence that the political landscape has shifted dramatically in 12 months, from optimism to disillusionment.

The Daily Mail commentary anchors its critique on two pillars: economic policy and migration. It singles out what it calls the lunacy of a tax, borrow and spend approach and argues that the approach has contributed to a perception that the government has failed to tackle rising living costs and uneven public services. On migration, the column contends that the previous administration’s strategy to stop boats, reduce asylum hotels and secure borders did not materialize as promised, and instead the country saw ongoing controversy and strains on communities already dealing with change.

The piece highlights migration as a key driver of public unease. It asserts that large numbers of migrants, including young men, have placed pressure on towns and villages that are ill-equipped to cope, and it argues that a substantial portion of the electorate feels neither major party is listening to their concerns. The column cites a year of population growth it describes as unsustainable, pointing to a rise in the UK population that, in its view, mirrors the size of a major city and underscores the challenge of balancing mobility with local resources.

Digital identity proposals are described as a contentious and potentially overreaching response. The column questions how digital ID cards would effectively curb illegal work or reduce the black economy, noting that even proponents acknowledge those who employ undocumented workers operate outside the law. It frames the plan as a civil liberties concern and warns that such measures risk deepening public mistrust in government without delivering clear, practical safeguards.

Taken together, the article argues that voters are angry, gloomy and worried about the social and economic future, and that a majority sense the leadership has betrayed them after a landslide that once carried hope. It closes by underscoring a perceived gap between polling data and the public’s belief that the current leadership can solve migration or other pressing issues, suggesting that the political moment remains unsettled as parties search for credible paths forward.