Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan Starmer's Labour in disarray as the UK's divisions deepen
Sep 8, 2025
Mark Paul, London correspondent for the Irish Times, dives into the chaos engulfing Labour under Keir Starmer. He discusses the fallout from Angela Rayner's resignation and its implications for the party's integrity. Mark analyzes the growing threat from Nigel Farage's Reform UK, highlighting regional divisions within Labour and the party's rightward shift on immigration and net zero policies. He also touches on broader anxieties around free speech and societal divides, painting a vivid picture of the UK's political landscape.
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Ethics Backlash Hurts Labour Credibility
- Rayner had led criticism of Tory ethics and her fall undermined Labour's promise of higher standards.
- Her resignation reinforced the narrative that Labour may practice 'one rule for them and another for everyone else'.
Rayner's Working-Class Rise
- Rayner rose from a difficult background, worked nights in a care home, and entered politics via trade unions.
- Her distinct Greater Manchester voice and flamboyant persona made her electorally valuable for Labour.
North‑South Split Within Labour
- Starmer's cabinet aimed to be more working-class but divisions between North and South persist.
- Northern figures like Andy Burnham represent an alternative power base that complicates Starmer's control.