If you’re wondering who’s actually running things at 10 Downing Street right now, the answer is Sir Keir Starmer.
He’s been in the job since July 2024. Honestly, it feels like forever ago for some, while others are still getting used to a Labour government after basically a decade and a half of Conservative rule. Starmer led his party to a massive landslide victory, flipping the script on British politics in a way we hadn’t seen since the Tony Blair era back in the nineties.
But holding the title of Prime Minister of Great Britain in 2026 isn't exactly a walk in the park.
The Man in Charge: Who is Keir Starmer?
Before he was a politician, Keir Starmer was a lawyer. Not just any lawyer, though—he was the Director of Public Prosecutions. That’s why you’ll often hear people call him "Sir Keir." He was knighted for his services to criminal justice long before he ever dreamed of leading the country.
He’s often described as "technocratic" or "pragmatic." You won't find him giving many fiery, populist speeches that set the world on fire. Instead, he’s known for a more methodical, "rules-based" approach. Some people love that stability; others think it’s a bit, well, dull.
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How did he get there?
The 2024 General Election was the turning point. After years of chaos, internal Tory fighting, and a revolving door of Prime Ministers (remember Liz Truss’s 45-day stint?), the British public was ready for a change. Starmer ran on a platform of "national renewal." He promised to fix the NHS, get the economy moving, and "smash the gangs" involved in illegal immigration.
He didn't just win; he crushed it. Labour ended up with a huge majority, giving Starmer the power to push through almost any law he wanted.
What’s the Prime Minister Doing Right Now?
It’s January 2026, and the honeymoon period is definitely over. Governing is hard.
Right now, Starmer is dealing with some pretty heavy lifting. One of the biggest headlines this week is his clash with the US over Greenland tariffs. President Trump (who’s back in the White House, in case you missed that) has threatened a 10% tariff on UK goods because of a dispute involving NATO troops and Greenland. Starmer has called the move "completely wrong," which is pretty bold language for a British PM talking about our closest ally.
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He’s also been offered a seat on a "Gaza Peace Board" by the US administration. It's a weirdly high-stakes time for him. He’s trying to maintain a "special relationship" with a very different kind of American leader while keeping his own party happy back home.
Domestic Struggles
At home, the vibe is a bit mixed. Starmer’s government has been pushing the Universal Credit Bill and significant reforms to parental leave. They’re trying to show that they’re the "party of working people," but the cost-of-living crisis is still biting.
People are still struggling with energy bills. The NHS is still under massive pressure.
- The Economy: Growth has been sluggish, and the 2025 Spring Statement left a lot of people feeling underwhelmed.
- Immigration: This remains a massive thorn in his side. Even with new policies, the numbers aren't dropping as fast as some voters want, leading to a rise in support for parties like Reform UK.
- The "Glum" Landslide: Interestingly, political analysts often point out that while Starmer won big, it wasn't a "joyful" win. It was a "get the other guys out" win. That means his support is a bit thin if things don't start feeling better soon.
The Critics and the Competition
You can't be the Prime Minister of Great Britain without people taking shots at you.
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On the right, you’ve got Nigel Farage and Reform UK constantly hammering him on "broken promises" regarding borders. On the left, some in his own party think he’s moved too far to the center—basically "Tory Lite."
Then there’s the Liberal Democrats. Their leader, Ed Davey, has been criticising Starmer’s handling of the US relationship, calling his policy "in tatters." It’s a messy, noisy political landscape.
What to Watch for Next
If you’re following UK politics, the next few months are going to be wild. Here’s what’s on the horizon:
- The May Elections: In a few months, we have local elections across England and elections for the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments. This will be the first real test of whether the public still has faith in Starmer’s "Project Change."
- The Tariff War: Keep an eye on February 1st. That’s when those US tariffs are supposed to kick in. If Starmer can’t negotiate a way out of that, it could hurt the UK economy significantly.
- The "Turn the Corner" Promise: In his New Year’s message for 2026, Starmer promised that Britain would "turn a corner" this year. People are going to hold him to that. If the bills don't go down and the waiting lists don't shrink, that "landslide" majority might start to feel very heavy.
Basically, Keir Starmer is currently trying to prove that he’s more than just "the guy who wasn't a Conservative." He’s trying to be the guy who actually fixed things. Whether he's succeeding depends entirely on who you ask and how much your rent went up this month.
To keep up with the latest from Number 10, it's worth checking the official GOV.UK portal or following the live House of Commons debates on BBC Parliament. Watching Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) every Wednesday is usually the best way to see Starmer in his element—or under the most heat.