Prime Minister Keir StarmerImage: keystone
After a turbulent day in Westminster, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is trying to get his government back on track.
Feb 10, 2026, 3:04 p.mFeb 10, 2026, 3:04 p.m
For a short time his office seemed to be hanging by a thread when Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar publicly called on his party colleague to resign. But that seems to have been averted, at least for now.
The background to the government crisis is Starmer’s decision more than a year ago to appoint Labor veteran and notorious Epstein confidant Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the USA. How closely he was linked to the late US multimillionaire and pedo criminal became clear with the publication of the Epstein files.
Mandelson and Starmer.Image: keystone
Thanks to expressions of loyalty from his cabinet and a reportedly combative appearance in front of the parliamentary group, Starmer managed to buy himself some more time. The Prime Minister gave the “speech of his life,” British media quoted participants in the meeting as saying.
Starmer is “ultimately toast”
But British commentators largely agree that Starmer, who has been hit hard by numerous failed reform projects and poor poll numbers, is walking on extremely thin ice. “There could be a new, fresh scandal or excitement at any moment that changes things suddenly,” said “Guardian” reporter Jessica Elgot in a podcast about the truce. She added: “When the herd starts moving, it starts moving.”
Sky News reporter Sam Coates assessed the situation similarly. Starmer was “ultimately toast,” he said, because the Prime Minister had proven time and again that, despite a large government majority, he was unable to get a majority in Parliament behind him on controversial projects.
In fact, in the 18 months since he took office, Starmer has had to make one U-turn after another because his own faction refused to support him. For example, with the plan to limit the number of pensioners eligible for a heating subsidy or to increase the criteria for social benefits for people with physical, mental or psychological limitations.
There has been speculation about Starmer’s future for months
The former head of the Crown Prosecution Service was only able to achieve success on the international stage, for example when it came to winning the favor of US President Donald Trump. But that also seemed to fizzle out in the light of the Greenland dispute, during which the Republicans also threatened Great Britain with new tariffs.
There has been speculation for months that the Labor group could drive Starmer out of office. There are also fears within the party that Labor is heading for serious defeats in the regional elections in Scotland and Wales and in the local elections in England in May. At that point at the latest, many expect a motion of no confidence in the group. However, the biggest stumbling block for Starmer’s internal party opponents has so far been the lack of a suitable challenger.
Health Minister Wes Streeting, who is considered one of Starmer’s most promising intra-party rivals, published his own complete correspondence with Mandelson as a precaution. The British media even speculated that he might have arranged to commit political regicide with the Scottish Labor leader and only dropped out at the last moment.
Health Minister Wes Streeting.Image: keystone
Lost an important mastermind
Starmer is still in danger from the Mandelson affair: Last week, under pressure from opposition politicians and from the ranks of his own party, the Prime Minister announced that he would publish the documents and correspondence relating to the selection process before Mandelson was appointed ambassador. When exactly and to what extent this will happen is unclear. However, it is expected that further uncomfortable details will come to light.
In addition, the head of government has lost his most important puller with the recent resignation of his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney. Whether he can turn things around again is even more uncertain without his close advisor at his side.
Andrew could face an even deeper fall
The Epstein case is also becoming an increasing burden for the British royals because of the once close relationship between the New York financier and the now disgraced ex-Prince Andrew. After the Epstein files revealed new allegations against Andrew, King Charles III resigned. in a statement from the palace to support the police in any investigations against his brother.
Similar to Mandelson, Andrew is also concerned with confidential information that is said to have been passed on to the US investor Epstein. If criminal investigations actually take place, the ex-prince, who has already lost all titles and offices because of his connection with Epstein, is at risk of an even deeper downfall. He initially did not respond to the allegations. (sda/dpa)