Newscast: The Keir Starmer 2026 Interview (January 4, 2026)

Overview

In a wide-ranging and candid conversation, Laura Kuenssberg interviews Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street as the Labour government faces mounting political pressure and public dissatisfaction moving into 2026. The episode probes Starmer’s outlook following a tumultuous 2025, exploring the government's record, Starmer's leadership challenges, economic policy, UK–EU relations, immigration, the crisis in Ukraine, and the UK's relationship with Donald Trump and the US. Starmer seeks to exude optimism, defend his record, and address tough questions about authority, policy reversals, and the changing political landscape.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Turning the Corner in 2026

• Starmer’s Optimism (02:24)

  • Starmer predicts 2026 will be "the year when we turn a corner as a country," with policy decisions from 2025 beginning to show results.
  • Quote: “For many people who've waited 16, 17 long years for their living standards to improve...they need now to feel the change.” (02:37)
  • He emphasizes progress in the economy, education, defense, and public services.

• Leadership Survival (03:26)

  • Despite speculation about his tenure, Starmer shows confidence.
  • Quote: “I will be sitting in this seat by 2027. And if this long form interview, we can try it again in January of next year as well.” (03:36)

2. Responding to Criticism and Political Unpopularity

• Acknowledging Frustration (05:59)

  • Starmer accepts public frustration, referencing long-term stagnation in living standards and declining trust in politics.
  • Quote: “Since the crash in ‘08, most people haven't seen their living standards improve … they've lost trust in politics.” (06:07)

• Failures and Government Errors (07:23–09:20)

  • Admits regret over the British government’s welcoming of activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah, who held controversial views.
  • Quote: “Those comments are abhorrent and I condemn them utterly … I should have been made aware and I wasn't … which is why we're carrying out a review.” (08:48)

3. Economic Performance and Policy

• Labour’s Economic Record (05:54, 09:52)

  • Claims significant achievements: wage growth, falling inflation, interest rate cuts, NHS waiting list reductions, and child poverty measures.
  • Defends higher taxes and regulation as necessary for economic stabilization and investment in services.
  • Quote: “The easy thing is to sit back and say, ‘I wouldn’t have done that.’ … The question in government is, if you're not going to do that, what would you have done instead?” (13:09)

• Criticism from Business and Public (11:56)

  • Scrutinized for low investment and rising unemployment, Starmer counters with claims of "record private investment" and regulatory reforms to boost infrastructure.

• Youth and Opportunity (14:48)

  • Outlines a shift from a target of 50% university entry to “two-thirds...university or gold standard apprenticeships.” Points to investments in green and tech industry hubs aimed at retaining young talent.
  • Quote: “We're laser-focused on young people and giving them the future that they deserve.” (14:48)

4. The UK’s Relationship with the EU

• Closer Alignment, Not Rejoining (16:17–22:50)

  • Starmer reaffirms a desire for closer relations with the EU, including further alignment with single market rules where in the UK’s interest, but rejects rejoining or freedom of movement.
  • Quote: “If it's in our interest to have even closer alignment with the single market, then we should consider that … But we’re not going back to freedom of movement.” (17:02, 19:56)
  • Discusses the youth mobility scheme as a limited, reciprocal arrangement.

• Addressing Brexit Voters’ Concerns (21:12)

  • Argues that the 2024 manifesto clearly pledged closer EU relations but not rejoining, countering accusations of betrayal to Brexit voters.

5. Immigration and Asylum Policy

• Asylum Hotels and Processing (23:10–26:03)

  • Acknowledges the increasing number of small boat crossings and use of asylum hotels but insists the backlog was inherited.
  • Claims 50,000 removals since Labour took office and pushes to close hotels ahead of schedule.

• Deportation Policy and Human Rights (26:44)

  • Clarifies the policy is about deporting failed claimants, not children of refugees, but supports reviewing “safe country” statuses.
  • Quote: “We will always support those fleeing persecution. It’s a really fundamental principle of this government. But the model … has changed.” (26:55)

6. Foreign Policy – Ukraine and Global Security

• Ukraine Peace Prospects (28:47)

  • After a call with President Zelensky, Starmer is optimistic about potential peace in Ukraine, citing advances on security guarantees and the impact on UK energy prices.
  • Quote: “2026 seems to me the year in which we could make significant progress towards peace in Ukraine. And what a difference that will make to the United Kingdom...” (30:39)

• Relations with the US and Donald Trump (33:25–38:32)

  • Pressed on Trump's attack on Venezuela, Starmer declines to condemn the US yet, insisting on waiting for facts but reasserts his international law commitment.
  • On Trump personally: “We do get on … what it shows is that if you … value the partnership … you can work with people notwithstanding you’ve got differences.” (37:28)

7. Leadership, Authority, and Electoral Prospects

• Facing Internal and Electoral Challenge (39:40)

  • Defends his authority and commitment to serve a full term despite talk of a leadership challenge after upcoming local/regional elections.
  • Quote: “I was elected on a five year mandate to change this country. I intend to deliver on that mandate.” (42:17)

• Rise of the Right and the Farage Threat (43:09)

  • Frames the next election as a “fight of our times” between Labour moderation and right-wing populism from Reform and Nigel Farage.
  • Quote: “That…will be a proposition of toxic divide … It is British to be diverse. And that is the essence of Britishness that will be challenged at the next election.” (43:09)

8. Closing Reflections

• Adapting to Criticism and Political Turbulence (46:11)
  • Accepts ongoing criticism and policy shifts but maintains pride in progress made.
  • Quote: “You can't have 52 worst weeks in politics … you don't win the general election on Twitter … I wouldn't swap a single day of being in power for a decade of being in opposition.” (46:11)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On his leadership survival:

  “I will be sitting in this seat by 2027.”
  — Keir Starmer (03:36)

• On acknowledging frustration:

  “I completely get that...if, for example, you were 30...when the ‘08 crash [happened], you’re now 47...a good chunk of my life has gone without things getting better.”
  — Keir Starmer (06:11)

• On closer EU alignment:

  “If it's in our interest to have even closer alignment with the single market, then we should consider that we should go that far.”
  — Keir Starmer (17:02)

• On condemnation regret regarding Alaa Abd El-Fattah:

  “Those comments are abhorrent and I condemn them utterly...I should have been made aware and I wasn't...”
  — Keir Starmer (08:48)

• On the political challenge from the right:

  “That is the fight of our times and I intend to lead us into that fight...It is British to be diverse. And that is the essence of Britishness that will be challenged at the next election by Reform."
  — Keir Starmer (43:09)

• On relations with Trump:

  “We do get on...it shows that if you believe in and value the partnership and the relationship...you can work with people notwithstanding you’ve got differences. We do have differences.”
  — Keir Starmer (37:28)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:24 | Starmer’s New Year’s optimism and policy outlook | | 05:59 | Addressing public frustration, declining polls, government errors | | 09:20 | Defence of economic record and response to unemployment, investment criticism | | 14:48 | Youth employment, apprenticeships, and education policy shift | | 16:38 | EU relations, single market alignment, customs union debate | | 19:56 | EU freedom of movement and youth mobility | | 21:12 | Brexit voters’ trust and policy clarity | | 23:10 | Immigration, asylum system backlog, and asylum hotels | | 26:44 | Deportation policy, failed asylum seekers, ‘safe countries’ | | 28:47 | Ukraine, Starmer’s call with Zelensky, prospects for peace | | 33:25 | US–UK relations, Donald Trump, and Venezuela incident | | 39:40 | Incoming electoral challenges, party authority, leadership speculation | | 43:09 | Rise of Reform and right-wing politics; framing 2029 as a battle for British identity | | 46:11 | Reflections on criticism, opposition, and political resilience |

Conclusion

This in-depth interview sees a resilient, at times defensive, but ultimately optimistic Keir Starmer offer a detailed account of his government’s struggles and ambitions, tackling policy reversals, economic headwinds, complicated foreign relationships, and existential challenges from the political right. He stresses continuity of leadership, refusal to be derailed by internal or external critics, and a vision of Britain that is “compassionate, reasonable, live and let live and diverse”—seeking to rally both party and country behind his vision heading into a critical political year.