It has been a significant stretch of time since Keir Starmer celebrated a resounding election victory by parading through Downing Street. Back during the 2024 campaign, as I closely followed him on the trail nationwide, he appeared to enjoy the lively exchanges with the press. However, fast forward to February 2026, and the situation has taken a troubling turn.
Amid swirling concerns about the inclusion of Peter Mandelson and open challenges from fellow party members on his leadership, Starmer must have felt like a vulnerable figure entering a hostile environment. It’s quite astonishing that just 18 months after securing a substantial majority, a Prime Minister is now confronted with serious deliberations about his tenure. Yet, here we are.
Starmer chose a sports center in Hastings as the venue for a speech on unity, investment, and notably, with an imminent by-election, to take a swipe at Reform. Nonetheless, the appointment of Mandelson, dubbed the “Prince of Darkness,” stands as a pivotal moment that could define the fate of his leadership.
Having attended numerous speeches by Starmer in recent times, this occasion appeared to showcase the most visible display of anger from the typically composed PM. At one point, observing from the back of the room, it seemed as if he was visibly trembling with fury as he unleashed his criticisms of Mandelson.
Following the scathing attack against him during PMQs on Wednesday, Starmer recognizes that his future hinges on creating distance from the disgraced peer, who resigned amidst escalating outrage. Nevertheless, the undeniable fact remains that Mandelson’s connections to Epstein were not concealed, even prior to his appointment, raising doubts about the PM’s judgment.
When I asked him whether he had made a pact with the devil by appointing an individual despite knowing the risks, the PM evaded addressing a portion of my question. However, he did issue an apology to Epstein’s victims for believing Mandelson’s deceitful assertions. While he maintained his ignorance throughout, skeptics find it a tough narrative to accept.
“It has been public knowledge for some time that Mandelson had ties to Epstein, but the extent of their relationship’s darkness was unknown to us,” Starmer acknowledged.
Against the backdrop of a blaring car alarm, Starmer delivered what could be considered his most challenging speech since assuming office. The pivotal question is whether his actions have been adequate, with murmurs of confidence votes (even from the Lib Dems) and an increasing number of Labour MPs breaking ranks.
Despite facing tougher polls and a series of missteps over the past 18 months, his speech exuded an unusual tension. The Mandelson scandal is on the brink of becoming a tipping point, elevating the stakes to levels not witnessed since Labour’s return to power.
Has the PM taken sufficient action? “I believe he is deluded or in denial, perhaps both,” remarked one MP to me. “He has overseen the toxic environment that Mandelson was at the core of since gaining power. When it suited him, the risk was acceptable. Now that it has backfired, he pleads ignorance to Mandelson’s true nature.”
Another source commented, “He may have bought himself some time, but he fails to grasp the depth of frustration and anger within the PLP.”
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