Keir Starmer defends 'painful' decisions as PM's popularity ratings tumble (original) (raw)

Keir Starmer has defended making unpopular decisions following a tumble in the Prime Minister's ratings amid intense criticism over cutting winter fuel payments

The PM said: 'Growing the economy is the number one mission'

Keir Starmer has defended making unpopular decisions within his first 100 days in No10 in order to "rebuild the house" after 14 years of Tory rule.

It follows a tumble in the PM's net popularity ratings amid intense criticism over cutting winter fuel payments for all but the poorest pensioners. One survey this week showed the number of people who now view Mr Starmer unfavourably had increased by eight points to 46% since August.

This is compared to 32% who view him favourably, giving the new PM a net rating of -14 compared with net score of zero last month. But speaking to reporters in Washington DC, Mr Starmer insisted he will be judged by voters on whether he has delivered on his election promises.

The PM said: "Growing the economy is the number one mission. These are necessary first steps to sort of strip down the joint, rebuild the house. And that is painful, that is difficult. That means we've got to take decisions that aren't going to be popular. I know that."

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He added: "The alternative is to put a lick of paint over the damp and pretend job done, which might get a round of applause now but will not get a round of applause in six months, 12 months and years down the line, when everybody then appreciates you haven't actually changed anything. I've always said this will take time, but I'm absolutely determined to deliver on my commitments."

Mr Starmer also insisted he had "every sympathy" with anyone struggling to pay their bills as he was grilled on the impact of the controversial winter fuel payment cut for millions of pensioners.
Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, announced in the summer the support would now be means-tested, with only those on pension credit eligible.

The PM told reporters in Washington removing the support was a "difficult decision", adding: "The question we've got to answer is how are we going to make up for a £22billion shortfall this year, which we hadn't expected to find, and we've taken the view that we have to stabilise the economy, we've got to deal with it."

Pressed on a 2017 analysis from the Labour Party that thousands of pensioners could have died if the then-government had cut the winter fuel payment, Mr Starmer said: "The last assessment was many years ago." Asked whether he stood by it, the PM replied: "No, it's a different assessment, different context."