
Keir Starmer on the threat to centrist politics
The Labour party stormed to victory in last year’s UK general election, following a long period in the political wilderness, but their popularity has collapsed since they took office. Like their European counterparts, they are facing pressure from the left and right. Our editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes sat down with Keir Starmer, the prime minister, to discuss his plans to address the country’s problems and what he makes of the rise of the insurgent Reform UK party.
Watch the full interview to hear how he hopes to meet the moment.
00:00 The fate of centrist politics
00:50 Reform UK’s policies
04:40 Britain’s relationship with the European Union
07:24 How Keir Starmer would sum up his politics on a bumper sticker
Watch the full interview: https://www.economist.com/insider/the-insider/zanny-minton-beddoes-interviews-sir-keir-starmer
Keir Starmer understands the size of the moment. Will he meet it? https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/12/04/our-interview-with-sir-keir-starmer
Our new model captures the lottery of Britain’s electoral system https://www.economist.com/interactive/britain/2025/12/04/our-new-model-captures-the-lottery-of-britains-electoral-system
Voting is becoming a high-stakes, wildly unpredictable gamble https://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/12/04/britains-slot-machine-politics
Sign up to the Insider newsletter: https://econ.st/4nOyzIb
Watch the full interview to hear how he hopes to meet the moment.
00:00 The fate of centrist politics
00:50 Reform UK’s policies
04:40 Britain’s relationship with the European Union
07:24 How Keir Starmer would sum up his politics on a bumper sticker
Watch the full interview: https://www.economist.com/insider/the-insider/zanny-minton-beddoes-interviews-sir-keir-starmer
Keir Starmer understands the size of the moment. Will he meet it? https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/12/04/our-interview-with-sir-keir-starmer
Our new model captures the lottery of Britain’s electoral system https://www.economist.com/interactive/britain/2025/12/04/our-new-model-captures-the-lottery-of-britains-electoral-system
Voting is becoming a high-stakes, wildly unpredictable gamble https://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/12/04/britains-slot-machine-politics
Sign up to the Insider newsletter: https://econ.st/4nOyzIb
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