Sir Anthony Seldon says Starmer is unlikely to recover as Labour turmoil deepens within one year in power

Keir Starmer has suffered a blistering blow from one of Britain’s most respected political historians, as Sir Anthony Seldon declared the Prime Minister is now seen as “damaged property” following what he described as a historic collapse in public and political confidence.

Speaking to GB News, Seldon said Starmer had become so unpopular, so quickly, that it was “very, very unusual” in modern political history. “The skates are under him,” warned the veteran biographer, suggesting that the Labour leader now faces an almost impossible task of regaining authority — especially within his own ranks.

Just a year after securing a landslide general election victory, Starmer’s approval ratings have cratered. In May, his net approval hit a dismal -46%, slightly improving to -36% in June, but still trailing far below levels seen during his campaign. His popularity has plummeted after a string of controversial policy moves, most notably the decision to slash winter fuel payments for pensioners — a move that sparked uproar and ignited unrest within his party.

Seldon’s intervention marks the second time in as many days that he has publicly criticised Starmer’s leadership, calling it one of the worst starts by a Labour prime minister in living memory. Comparing the PM’s decline to other infamous collapses, Seldon invoked the shadow of Black Wednesday — the economic disaster in 1992 that shattered John Major’s premiership — and Gordon Brown’s failure to call a general election in 2007, an event that he said haunted Brown’s authority for the rest of his time in office.

“It’s very difficult,” Seldon said, when asked whether Starmer could still turn things around. “Once you lose confidence in the country — and, above all, where your own MPs lose confidence in you — you really do have the skates under you.”

He continued: “It’s as if you’ve got a sign hanging over you saying ‘damaged property’, and people are just waiting for the moment to come.”

Inside Labour, that moment may already be looming. According to multiple reports, MPs are now openly talking about a leadership change, with growing whispers of a “regime change” campaign quietly forming behind the scenes. Starmer’s chaotic U-turns on welfare and pension policy, coupled with growing dissatisfaction from left and centre factions, have created a leadership vacuum that rivals — including Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting — may soon rush to fill.

Despite this, Seldon issued a warning against triggering another leadership contest too soon. “It would be eight different prime ministers in 15 years,” he noted. “That is without precedent. This is not good for democracy. It’s not good for economic stability. It’s not good for the perception of Britain abroad as a trading nation, as a credible partner.”

Though Seldon acknowledged many would like to see Starmer go, he insisted the country may not withstand the chaos of yet another political reset. “From a national perspective,” he said, “it would be better if he were somehow to pull out of this and show a commitment to growth.”

Whether Starmer can weather the storm remains to be seen. His supporters argue he still has time to steer the ship, while critics insist his credibility has already sunk beyond repair. For now, one thing is certain — the clock is ticking, and Keir Starmer is running out of friends, options, and time.