How is Keir Starmer doing as prime minister?

It’s fair to say that Keir Starmer is heading into the Labour Party Conference under a cloud.

He’s been forced into a cabinet reshuffle after his deputy leader Angela Rayner resigned over a stamp duty scandal, he sacked his US ambassador Lord Mandelson over links to Jeffrey Epstein and his popularity in the polls has taken a beating.

We headed to Plymouth to see what people on the street made of his performance as prime minister.

Rich: There’s a lot of division that’s happened in the country. Whether that’s directly to do with Keir Starmer or whether it’s just the sort of global politics that’s happening at the moment. Extremism is a thing that’s starting to come through a little bit more.

Jack: I thought, at the very least from the previous government, it would just be, like, pretty neutral times. I didn’t think there’d be anything too bad, but actually it’s been the same. And worse. I’m really shocked by the way he’s gone, the direction he’s gone, considering his past, his cabinet. Pretty much going all the way back to making cuts, which we saw the Conservative government do. It failed miserably. And we’re doing the same unbacked thing all over again.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Big Issue (@bigissueuk)

Lou: I’m disappointed in what he’s done with the country so far. He’s not leading us. He doesn’t seem to be representing the country or the people that are in it as a whole at all. It just seems to be thinking for himself. Compared to other politicians that are somewhat controversial, but they still have their country at their heart.

Zeni: I am much more of a Jeremy Corbyn supporter, a bit more socialist. Keir Starmer, I don’t necessarily like his past all that much, so it makes me a bit uncomfortable having him as a prime minister. But anything is better than the Tories right?

Leon: This is really hard because I am a staunch Labour voter. I always have been. But I don’t feel like I can trust them. I do think they’ve made some bad decisions. So let’s go with a two and a half out of 10. I think it would be unfair to give them any more than that.

Read more:

• No UK party currently has what it takes to end poverty, research finds: ‘We need a radical rethink’
• Keir Starmer on being as ‘bold as Attlee’ and why there’ll be no return to austerity under his watch
• How government inaction is radicalising Britain

John: Low. I don’t see him as a leader at all. I think he’s more on a survival strategy rather than actually capable of leading and making decisions. And I also think that he wastes lots of money, with sticking-plaster politics. I think you need a slightly braver person at the top than him. Not that I would endorse the other parties, that is. He’s not the right guy for the job, but, then again, he’s better than Trump.

Christa: I do not know. I have not been following it. I don’t read the news because it’s really depressing.

Kim: I think he’s doing his best. I wouldn’t like to be in his position. But then I doubt if he’d want to be in mine either.

What do you think? Get in touch and tell us more – visit Big Issue’s social channels or email us at letters@bigissue.com.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

Reader-funded since 1991 – Big Issue brings you trustworthy journalism that drives real change.

Every day, our journalists dig deeper, speaking up for those society overlooks.

Could you help us keep doing this vital work? Support our journalism from £5 a month.