Keir Starmer is all alone

Keir Starmer is all alone

From The Politics Show by The New Statesman

April 23, 2026 · 34 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the challenges faced by Keir Starmer amidst political controversies and the implications for his leadership.

The Mandelson affair has become less about Peter Mandelson’s alleged wrongdoing, and all about Keir Starmer’s ability to run the country. This week Olly Robbins, former chief civil servant at the Foreign Office, insisted the Prime Minister pressured him into clearing Peter Mandelson for the US ambassador post. Yesterday, Starmer was forced to admit his former spin doctor Matthew Doyle, who was suspended from the Labour Party over campaigning for a convicted child sex offender, was also considered for a diplomatic role.  Labour MPs and even cabinet ministers no longer seem able to defend the Prime Minister. But the frontrunners to replace Starmer are also, according to reporting by our editor Tom McTague, biding their time. How long can they wait? How long can the country wait? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Tom McTague in the studio. READ: Keir Starmer is all alone https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱 Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday…

People in this episode

Host: Anoosh Chakelian

Guests: Olly Robbins, Tom McTague

Topics covered

  • Keir Starmer
  • Labour Party
  • political leadership
  • Peter Mandelson
  • government pressure
  • political scandal

Keywords

  • Keir Starmer
  • Peter Mandelson
  • political scandal
  • Labour Party
  • Olly Robbins
  • Tom McTague
  • Matthew Doyle

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Labour Party, New Statesman

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