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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Why is Keir Starmer so disliked (before the Mandelson scandal?)

307 replies

JacquesHarlow · 08/02/2026 10:36

AIBU to ask this? Why was he so vehemently, fundamentally disliked by the British public, even before the Mandelson saga and the (admittedly awful) lack of judgement?

I have seen worse PMs in the last decade alone. I have seen venal, self-serving, arrogant liars hold the office in that time. I have seen hapless, posh types. We’ve all seen the one who couldn’t outlast a lettuce.

So why does Keir Starmer get so much vitriolic hate in comments sections, despite having only held the office for such a short time?

Is it his perceived lack of communication skills? I’ve seen some people criticise him for not being strident, positive, energised, chummy or any of the things we often see in modern politics.

Is it his lack of identifiable policies or political strategy, where people find they can’t get behind him because they don’t know what he (personally) believes in?

Is it ageism (yep I said it!) in that he comes across as formal and correct, in a time where we’re used to seeing other personalities on the world stage?

Or is it that thing I long suspected, that the country is by default Tory in nature, and that despite a heavy frustration at the last five years of Tory incompetence, they can’t bring themselves to accept this party, and are keen to take him down any which way?

The recent saga of the last week is awful. As a woman I can’t stand to see people like the former US ambassador be enabled.

However the hate for Keir long pre dates this.

so why?? Why do people “hate” him?!

P.S I do not work for Ipsos MORI, or Labour HQ, I am not a bot or a troll or whatever people accuse others of when they don’t like the question.

OP posts:
EasternStandard · 08/02/2026 15:10

Dragonscaledaisy · 08/02/2026 15:08

I agree. McSweeney was just an advisor - Starmer remains fully accountable for the decision and should now resign. Allowing someone else to take the blame is a weak and cowardly act.

And this. It’s just more putting the blame elsewhere.

NancyBellaDonna · 08/02/2026 15:12

5128gap · 08/02/2026 11:58

He's the leader of the Labour Party and those on the right are furious we have a Labour government so are making a LOT of noise about him.
Some Labour voters would prefer a leader with a stronger traditional left image.
Some people are frustrated because they wanted revolution speed change from a Labour government. Starmer's slow, steady (dull?) demeanor is seen as symbolic of the lack of speedy progress they hoped for.

Absolutely agree with this ^

Damned if he does/ damned if he doesn't.

MunicipalDarwinism · 08/02/2026 15:13

EasternStandard · 08/02/2026 15:10

McSweeney did understand comms, even Starmer gushed over him at the last PMQs, he knew it’s why he’s in power.

He gave us the delights of the toolmaker and change which many bought in to after all.

It’s not a comms issue, it’s a Starmer one.

Comms is far from Starmer's only issue, agreed. But it is clear that McSweeney kept giving him very bum steers. McSweeney is a weasel and I am glad he has made his exit.

luckylavender · 08/02/2026 15:14

Bougainsillier · 08/02/2026 11:12

He’s a lying, self serving little weasel of a man. He had none of the charisma (can’t think of a better word) required to lead and represent us on the world stage. He’s actually one of those men who makes my skin crawl.

He’s doing very well on the world stage curiously

EasternStandard · 08/02/2026 15:15

MunicipalDarwinism · 08/02/2026 15:13

Comms is far from Starmer's only issue, agreed. But it is clear that McSweeney kept giving him very bum steers. McSweeney is a weasel and I am glad he has made his exit.

You’re looking at the wrong person. Starmer’s other problem is he constantly blames others.

ilovesooty · 08/02/2026 15:18

Dragonscaledaisy · 08/02/2026 14:49

Someone with at least a degree of competence

Who then?

MunicipalDarwinism · 08/02/2026 15:19

EasternStandard · 08/02/2026 15:15

You’re looking at the wrong person. Starmer’s other problem is he constantly blames others.

Well, let's see what happens next and who Starmer appoints. I think Starmer will go, but not quite yet. Not before the May elections.

DenizenOfAisleOfShame · 08/02/2026 15:19

NancyBellaDonna · 08/02/2026 15:12

Absolutely agree with this ^

Damned if he does/ damned if he doesn't.

That’s true of all PMs. And ministers.

And police and social care staff and doctors and nurses and teachers and judges and, and, and…

The difference between politicians and the rest is that politicians lie and wriggle as much as they want. The others doing difficult jobs face the music.

MunicipalDarwinism · 08/02/2026 15:20

The difference between politicians and the rest is that politicians lie and wriggle as much as they want. The others doing difficult jobs face the music

Very true.

SpringIsCome · 08/02/2026 15:21

He's a friend of Israel racist - said Israel have to right to stop Gaza's access to food and water. Wanting to bring in ID cards, take away the right to protest and remove jury trials - plus very, very cosy with ICE/IDF Palantir.
Majority of the labour cabinet are fascist friends of Israel too, so when Starmer resigns nothing will change.

TheFireHorse · 08/02/2026 15:21

AzureRose · 08/02/2026 11:14

conference: Not right to say only women have a cervix, says Starmer - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58698406.amp That was it for me

He never had my respect again after that. What a fucking stupid man.

This a MILLION times over!

Stupid odious man. Suspect he has skin in the game. Maybe a child?

But throwing women to the wolves he can fuck right off!!

taxguru · 08/02/2026 15:23

He wasn't popular even before he became Labour leader due to his time as a barrister/solicitor and DPP/CPS, etc where he was often criticised for being too "soft" on crime, his involvement with defending criminals under Human Rights and ECJ, etc. Basically lots of people criticised him in the 90s and 00s for being more "pro" criminals than "pro" victims of crime.

Allseeingallknowing · 08/02/2026 15:27

He’s wooden, unable to communicate well, speech sounds strangled , robotic, doesn’t sound sincere, is defensive, easily rattled.

Allseeingallknowing · 08/02/2026 15:29

MunicipalDarwinism · 08/02/2026 14:46

Who would you like to see as PM?

Not Ed or Angela. There is no one suitable.

Ablondiebutagoody · 08/02/2026 15:31

Because he doesn't seem to mind paedophilia all that much

caringcarer · 08/02/2026 15:32

He has no principles and I turns at every turn. Then there are the constant freebies he takes. Dresses for his wife, suits, glasses. He has dreadful judgement he appointed the liar RR, the tax dodger AR and Lammy as well as Mandy.

peanutbuttertoasty · 08/02/2026 15:33

He hates us and all his decisions follow from that. That’s it really.

MunicipalDarwinism · 08/02/2026 15:34

TheFireHorse · 08/02/2026 15:21

This a MILLION times over!

Stupid odious man. Suspect he has skin in the game. Maybe a child?

But throwing women to the wolves he can fuck right off!!

Oh, stop it. There is no need to bring Starmer's children into this.

HelloDandy · 08/02/2026 15:34

I didn't dislike him before all this mandleson stuff. I voted for the party rather than him. It was always going to be hard after the Tories fucking things up for so long but after, what it is now, just over 18 months. Nothing has got even remotely better. Or feels like it has. Especially for families. I don't want he stands for and as some posters have said he lacks charisma.

He's not been the worst prime minister though. My own take now is they're shit. All as bad as each other and will say whatever it takes to get us to vote for them and then go back on what they've said they'll do.

Boomer55 · 08/02/2026 15:36

JacquesHarlow · 08/02/2026 10:36

AIBU to ask this? Why was he so vehemently, fundamentally disliked by the British public, even before the Mandelson saga and the (admittedly awful) lack of judgement?

I have seen worse PMs in the last decade alone. I have seen venal, self-serving, arrogant liars hold the office in that time. I have seen hapless, posh types. We’ve all seen the one who couldn’t outlast a lettuce.

So why does Keir Starmer get so much vitriolic hate in comments sections, despite having only held the office for such a short time?

Is it his perceived lack of communication skills? I’ve seen some people criticise him for not being strident, positive, energised, chummy or any of the things we often see in modern politics.

Is it his lack of identifiable policies or political strategy, where people find they can’t get behind him because they don’t know what he (personally) believes in?

Is it ageism (yep I said it!) in that he comes across as formal and correct, in a time where we’re used to seeing other personalities on the world stage?

Or is it that thing I long suspected, that the country is by default Tory in nature, and that despite a heavy frustration at the last five years of Tory incompetence, they can’t bring themselves to accept this party, and are keen to take him down any which way?

The recent saga of the last week is awful. As a woman I can’t stand to see people like the former US ambassador be enabled.

However the hate for Keir long pre dates this.

so why?? Why do people “hate” him?!

P.S I do not work for Ipsos MORI, or Labour HQ, I am not a bot or a troll or whatever people accuse others of when they don’t like the question.

Nope. He’s just not a leader capable if running a country. He’d be (and was) ok at being a manager, but he’s out of his depth with being PM.

Unfortunately, many new MPs seem out of their depth as well.

I’m sure he’s a nice man, and a decent man, just inept and weak.

HarryMaguireSlabHead · 08/02/2026 15:39

I like Starmer but his chaotic government is extremely incompetent and despised now even by people who normally vote Labour.

It's time for a General Election.

ilovesooty · 08/02/2026 15:40

HarryMaguireSlabHead · 08/02/2026 15:39

I like Starmer but his chaotic government is extremely incompetent and despised now even by people who normally vote Labour.

It's time for a General Election.

And why should there be a general election?

MunicipalDarwinism · 08/02/2026 15:42

HarryMaguireSlabHead · 08/02/2026 15:39

I like Starmer but his chaotic government is extremely incompetent and despised now even by people who normally vote Labour.

It's time for a General Election.

Do you understand how the Westminster political system works? If we had a GE every time there was a crisis in government we'd never be out of the polling booths.

HarryMaguireSlabHead · 08/02/2026 15:43

ilovesooty · 08/02/2026 15:40

And why should there be a general election?

Because of a little thing called DEMOCRACY

Churchyard · 08/02/2026 15:46

HarryMaguireSlabHead · 08/02/2026 15:43

Because of a little thing called DEMOCRACY

Did we not vote them in democratically?