UNGOVERNABLE BRITAIN VACANCY AT NO.10

The only constant at No.10 Downing Street is ‘Larry’ the cat. Monday morning, Sir Keir Starmer took the lectern and announced his resignation as Prime Minister. This sight has become a routine in the last decade, with six prime ministers, including Starmer, doing what he did.

Starmer, the second Labour leader to win a general election since Tony Blair in 2005, a politician who won the second highest mandate in Labour history, resigned 13 days short of completing his second year in office. Sadly, Labour unwillingly has carried forward a Conservative legacy. Since his second term in 2015, no Conservative PM has completed a full term in office.

What does this show? Has Britain become ungovernable?

Right now, there’s unusually robust evidence for the “crisis of governability” argument — a sitting PM faced an open revolt that led to his resignation, historic local election losses, and record public scepticism, all within 23 months of a landslide win. The single biggest reason for this is electoral fragmentation. Labour lost control of 35 councils and around 1,500 councillors in the 2026 local elections, making up 60% of the seats up for election — while Reform UK and the Greens made major gains.

Welsh Labour suffered a defeat, ending 100 years of control of Wales. A first-past-the-post system built for two-party politics is straining under four- and fiveway competition. Reform UK, Lib Dem, Green, plus other small nationalist parties are eating into the pie and making it difficult for traditional parties. No one in the recent past has lost public confidence like Starmer. Despite walking into No10 with a massive majority, gaining the confidence of the public was never Starmer’s strong point.

Polling cited by the Institute for Government found 75% of the public sceptical that the government would make progress on its top priorities, and 23 months in office have cemented widespread gloom about the ability of the mainstream political system to address the country’s problems.

Adding to all this, one of the biggest drawbacks of Starmer was that he wasn’t a good communicator; one wonders if, on policy levels, he could have done any better, but everyone will agree that he could have cut out a better messaging system and come out as an affable person. With Starmer out of No10, what lies ahead for the Labour Party and Britain? The newly elected MP from Makerfield, Andy Burnham, has made it clear that he will be contesting for the top job and is up for the contest, with former Health Secretary Wes Streeting pledging support for the former Mayor of Greater Manchester. Labour looks set to take forward the Tory legacy of putting up a PM without a mandate of the party, like Rishi Sunak.

In any case, the new occupant of No10 will inherit weak economic growth and tight public finances, mounting pressure to improve the NHS and public services without increasing borrowing, stiff competition from Reform UK, which has become a major force in British politics, and managing expectations inside the Labour Party will be the biggest challenge, as there are considerable internal tensions. The Makerfield MP now has a lot of hopes pinned on him. His oratory and charm are billed to be his biggest strengths.

They helped him immensely to win the seat that had voted for Reform UK in the recently concluded council polls. He has shown that he can turn the tables on Nigel Farage. He backs his credentials with a strong electoral reputation. As Mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham built a profile around transport reform, devolution, and public services, giving him a record of executive leadership.

Adding to all this,  one of the biggest drawbacks of Starmer was that he wasn’t a good communicator; one wonders if, on policy levels, he could have done any better, but everyone will agree that he could have  cut out a better messaging system  and come out as an affable person

An old hand in Westminster, he has appeal beyond Labour members. Polling over the past year has consistently suggested he is one of Labour’s most popular national figures and better placed than anyone to compete with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

Burnham enjoys the support of a broad coalition inside Labour. He has support from both the party’s soft left and parts of its moderate wing, making him a potentially unifying figure. As Burnham prepares his march to Downing Street, former PM Rishi Sunak offers him some advice in his column for The Times.

Sunak writes, “If he reaches No10, he’ll never have more power than on his first day at the job. He must have a clear and achievable plan.” The former PM acknowledges his skill as a communicator but also cautions him by saying that most European premiers are struggling because there is little growth.

Burnham looks set to occupy No10 but should take a moment amidst this frenzy and euphoria to ascertain why he is put at the helm and what he intends to do. Else, by Christmas, all the cheerleaders will be baying for his blood.