Tories say Keir Starmer's first 100 days in power were 'terrifying'

by · Mail Online

Labour's first 100 days in government have left half of those who voted for them with buyer's remorse.

In dire polling for Sir Keir Starmer as his administration reaches the milestone today, 47 per cent of those who voted for the party said they had positive expectations but felt let down.

Six in ten think Labour has done a bad job, with just 18 per cent approving of its record, the survey by YouGov found.

Some 39 per cent say the country is already in a worse state than the Tories left it in.

Just 9 per cent think it is in a better state, while 44 per cent say it is roughly the same.

For weeks, the party has been mired in accusations of sleaze over the freebies scandal. This resulted in Sir Keir repaying £6,000 worth of gifts and hospitality.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria wave as they pose on the steps of 10 Downing Street in London on July 5
Protesters and Unite union supporters hold banners and placards during a rally against the reversal of the winter fuel payment 

His former chief of staff Sue Gray has also resigned amid bitter infighting at No 10.

A spokesman said there would be no celebration in Downing Street to mark the milestone despite Labour having been out of power for 14 years. Asked whether the first 100 days was a success amid Sir Keir's plummeting poll ratings, they added: 'That is for the public to judge.'

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An audit of Labour's pledges also reveals it has either failed to deliver on several promises or broken them by bringing in controversial measures which it never warned voters about during the election campaign.

These include stripping ten million pensioners of their winter fuel payment and giving up sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick said: 'It's terrifying to think that after Labour's disastrous first 100 days, there are another 1,700 to go [until the next election]. They've already broken their promises, surrendered British territory and become mired in chaos and sleaze.'

Among the policies which most angered those questioned was Labour's move to release thousands of prisoners early despite vowing in its manifesto to 'take back our streets', halve serious violent crime and 'raise confidence in the police and criminal justice system to its highest levels'. Some 68 per cent opposed the measure, with just 21 per cent supporting it.

Newly elected Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria outside No 10 Downing Street after the Labour party won a landslide victory at the 2024 General Electio
Chagossians living in the UK protest against the British government's decision to hand over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius
An image released by the U.S. Navy shows an aerial view of Diego Garcia

The move to start means-testing winter fuel payments was only backed by 34 per cent. By contrast, 55 per cent opposed the move, which Labour claims will save about £1.4billon a year. In its manifesto, the party pledged to 'deliver better outcomes' for pensioners.

And a majority of respondents disagreed with the bumper pay hikes handed to train drivers, by 44 per cent to 42 per cent. The Government handed drivers a 14.25 per cent increase in August, taking their average salary to about £70,000 – only for their Aslef union to announce fresh strikes 48 hours later.

Just 17 per cent say they 'have high hopes for the Labour Government, and I am sure they are going to do a good job.' While 76 per cent 'do not have high hopes'.

Sir Keir came to power vowing to 'restore trust' in politics. But revelations about concert tickets, and clothes paid for by Labour donor Lord Alli have dented the PM's reputation, with his personal ratings plummeting below even that of Rishi Sunak's before he left office.

Labour declined to comment on the poll.

But a spokesman for No 10 said: 'The Government is focused on delivery and the action that it takes.'