Sir Keir Starmer’s first week as prime minister ends with Britain feeling a less parochial and more open‑minded place. The Labour leader’s appearance at the Nato summit went off smoothly, and leaks suggest he will downgrade migration as a major topic in talks with European leaders next week. The most common response to the new government, say pollsters, is to feel hopeful and relieved. Labour is set for a summer honeymoon with the public. Sir Keir is a lucky general. If England’s men win Euro 2024, he would be the most charmed politician of the modern age.
The prime minister might be happy that more Britons appear favourable towards him than before the election and that they seem more likely to expect his government to change things for the better than for the worse. This could be a double-edged sword. More than half of those polled think Labour will increase public spending in the next year. Sir Keir has lowered expectations, perhaps so that they can be easily met. But the electorate voted for change, not continuity, which is why Sir Keir ought to revisit his decision not to abolish the two‑child benefit cap that sees families get no extra means‑tested support beyond their second child.
