Keir Starmer faces fresh Labour revolt over special needs support reforms

UK PM’s freefall is a warning to centrists

A week is a long time in politics, so the expression goes. A year? Well that must feel like a lifetime – especially for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.It was just over one year ago that Starmer took up residence at 10 Downing Street. With a 174-seat majority in parliament, and the opposition Conservatives in shambles after their worst election ever, the new Labour PM seemed ready to hit the ground running with a center-left agenda of better heal…

Keir Starmer’s year on the world stage: success but the home front suffers

Keir Starmer’s year on the world stage: success but the home front suffers will.driscoll Tue, 08/07/2025 - 13:55 The prime minister is proving himself at ease with world leaders. 5 Comment Jill Rutter Institute for Government Yes Keir Starmer has often appeared most at ease when carrying out diplomatic duties. Ministers Intergovernmental relations Government communications Labour Starmer government Number 10 No Within days of becoming prime mi…

After welfare humiliation, Starmer has a new headache: Education reforms of Bridget Phillipson

Following the welfare U-turn, Starmer now faces backlash over education reforms that critics fear could strip vital support from children with special needs

UK government strains to learn lessons from welfare debacle

Starmer’s reforming Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will hope to avoid the turmoil that engulfed Labour’s welfare shake-up.

SEND: Labour's next backbench battle

Keir Starmer and the Labour government are still smarting from a punishing Commons rebellion over welfare reform. Now, backbenchers are revolting again over Special Educational Needs. Labour are due to release a white paper outlining an overhaul of SEND in October. The government says the provisions need reform – but backbenchers and campaigners are already voicing concern over whether this is a further cost-cutting exercise at the expense of vu…

SEND reform is needed - but No 10 can't afford another party meltdown

Discontent among backbenchers is rising following Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s refusal on Sunday to provide a legal guarantee of special needs support for schoolchildren. At its core is whether backbenchers can trust ministers, a direct fallout from the Government’s U-turns on winter fuel payments and the welfare bill.This autumn, Phillipson will set out the implementation of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms,…