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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
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John McDonnell

Don’t sugarcoat this: Starmer’s government is weak and may perish. Here are my five steps to recovery

Keir Starmer delivers a speech during a VJ Day commemorative reception at Downing Street on 14 August.
Keir Starmer during a VJ Day commemorative reception at Downing Street, 14 August 2025. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA

The Labour party is facing one of the most dangerous moments in its history, possibly an existential threat. Not only is it adrift in the polls, losing one council byelection after another, and with a leader whose popularity has plummeted; but the main threat comes from the xenophobic hard right in the shape of Reform UK.

Labour has to wake up to this threat and seize the moment. It must take five basic steps to recovery:

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