Sir Keir Starmer and Labour endured what could charitably be described as a ‘challenging’ 2025, as the popularity of the Prime Minister and his party slumped in the polls and talk of a potential leadership challenge became a daily topic of discussion at Westminster.

So his New Year’s message talking up the importance of “staying the course” to deliver improvements looks to be one aimed not just at the general public but also restive Labour MPs.

Sir Keir’s message acknowledges his Government is yet to deliver on what was promised at the last General Election, saying “I share the frustration about the pace of change”.

But he also claims that 2026 will be the year that Labour’s choices in their first 18 months in power start to deliver visible results and prove “promise of renewal can become a reality”.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer rehearses his Labour Party conference keynote speech with his wife Victoria before he addresses delegates in Liverpool. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

placeholder image — Prime Minister Keir Starmer rehearses his Labour Party conference keynote speech with his wife Victoria before he addresses delegates in Liverpool. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

There is little doubt it will be a make or break year for the Prime Minister – indeed, the first few months of the year will be vital. Poor results in the May local elections for Labour are now being seen as a given, but the exact figures are likely to play a key role in whether there is a challenge to the Prime Minister.

Sir Keir has turned around difficult positions before – in 2021 his leadership in Opposition was under major scrutiny after a humiliating defeat for Labour in the Hartlepool by-election.

But after a narrow victory in the Batley and Spen by-election a few months later, he secured his position and ended up taking his party to a huge General Election victory after the Tories imploded.

Changing the current public perception will be a challenge of a different magnitude.