Starmer urges cabinet to keep focus on cost of living as polls shift in UK politics live updates
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Table of contents
Background and key message
Keir Starmer opened this week with a clear imperative: keep cost of living at the forefront and demonstrate relentless delivery of changes people can feel. In the Labour readout from the political cabinet, he contrasted a renewing Labour government with a Reform movement that “feeds on grievance, decline and division.” Starmer urged ministers to ignore the polls, asserting, “Governments do not lose because polls go down. They lose when they lose belief or nerve.”
Polls, delivery, and the cost of living
The update notes a YouGov poll that put Labour behind Reform UK and the Conservatives for the first time this cycle, underscoring the political headwinds. Despite that, Starmer emphasized policy delivery and public service improvements as the route to rebuilding trust. The discussion drew on comparative cases in Norway, Australia, and Canada where centre-left parties regained ground through delivery and cost-of-living focus. Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell attended the cabinet, signaling a steady emphasis on a stable, message-led campaign rather than aggressive seat targeting.
Net zero scepticism and Brexit notes
In a cross-pressured week for Conservative messaging, Kemi Badenoch asserted in interviews that she has long been a net-zero sceptic and that Brexit remains not doing enough to unlock growth. She argued for more North Sea drilling and insisted that the UK must remain close to Europe while retaining sovereignty. Her remarks intersect with broader debates about the rules-based international order and the feasibility of grand promises in a contested economic context.
Global events and security questions
The live blog also tracks international turmoil, including the ongoing Venezuela/Maduro issue and President Trump’s Venezuelan raid stance. In Parliament, ministers defended international law while acknowledging shifting perceptions about the enforcement and credibility of that order. Separately, the government highlighted a cyber action plan backed by £210m to safeguard public services as digitisation accelerates, aiming to reduce queues and unlock long-term savings.
Incumbency-first approach for Labour
Labour signaled a pragmatic stance: protect current MPs while continuing to pursue credible delivery stories for May elections. The incumbency-first approach aims to safeguard existing representation even as the party signals renewal and a broader reform agenda. This strategy reflects a realistic assessment of the electoral terrain and the importance of presenting a credible, delivery-focused contrast to the opposition.
Takeaways and next steps
Key takeaways include: a renewed emphasis on cost of living as a framing device, careful navigation of poll data without capitulation to negativity, and a focus on tangible public service improvements. Readers should watch how Labour communicates delivery milestones in 2026 and how Conservative net-zero messaging evolves amid questions about growth, energy policy, and global stability.
Want more? Explore related coverage on cost-of-living policy, UK political polling trends, and post-Brexit economic strategy in our ongoing series.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jan/06/badenoch-trump-venezuela-maduro-starmer-streeting-uk-politics-latest-news-updates
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