A big week in politics: Diplomatic manoeuvring, economic tightrope-walking, and an opposition leader fighting her own corner.
It’s all here in this week’s Who’s Top, Who’s Not.
Top – Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer
This week has been a test of Starmer’s ability to navigate the international stage. The UK narrowly avoided being caught in the wave of tariffs unleashed by Donald Trump, who has taken aim at key trading partners, including Canada, the EU, and China. There was some surprise at Britain’s exemption, and No.10 has been quick to suggest that it was the result of careful diplomatic strategy. While the full details remain unclear, this indicates that Starmer’s government has either successfully leveraged existing relationships in Washington or positioned the UK as a useful intermediary.
In a further boost, outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed a renewed urgency in finalising the UK-Canada trade deal, which was stalled in early 2024. This not only signals confidence in Britain as a reliable economic partner but also enhances Starmer’s credibility both domestically and internationally. At a time when many feared the UK could become increasingly isolated post-Brexit, it instead appears to be re-establishing its role as a transatlantic broker.
Trump’s return is widely seen as destabilising for international trade, particularly within the EU, but it presents an opportunity for Britain. If handled well, the UK could strengthen ties with both Brussels and Washington, positioning itself as a pragmatic go-between. However, this balancing act carries risks—missteps could see Britain alienated from both sides rather than benefiting from its newfound diplomatic leverage.
Middle ranking – Chancellor, Rachel Reeves
It feels as though Rachel Reeves has been in the media far more than she would have liked (and for reasons less favourable than she would have preferred). The Bank of England’s decision to cut interest rates has given her some breathing room, but it came as a double-edged sword. While lower rates may provide economic relief, the Bank also slashed its UK growth forecast, signalling concerns about the trajectory of the growth Labour had promised. This has put Reeves in a difficult position, forced to defend the government’s economic credibility just as it was beginning to take shape.
In an attempt to regain momentum, Reeves has sought to stimulate economic growth by greenlighting the expansion of Heathrow Airport. More controversially, she has cast doubt over the government’s commitment to banning drilling at the Rosebank oilfield, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling against it. This shift has triggered internal divisions within the Labour Party, with some seeing it as a pragmatic move while others view it as a betrayal of the party’s green pledges.
As tensions rise, questions are being asked about whether Starmer can maintain unity in the face of growing rifts. For now, he remains steadfast in his support for Reeves, but the balancing act between economic pragmatism and party cohesion is becoming increasingly precarious.
Sinking quickly – Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch
Kemi Badenoch’s reputation as a no-nonsense, hard-hitting leader has been doing more damage to the Conservative Party than to Starmer this week, with viewers tuning into Prime Minister’s Questions left underwhelmed. Many expected Badenoch to land heavy blows on Starmer and his lockdown voice coach, but instead, he has walked away unscathed.
If that wasn’t bad enough, reports emerged this week that Badenoch had delivered a stern dressing-down to Conservative Party staff, telling them they need to "do better." While opposition leaders often struggle to find their footing early on, Badenoch appears to be feeling more pressure than anticipated. Rather than galvanising her team, her frustration risks backfiring. By publicly placing blame on party staff for her own struggles, she is more likely to alienate them than boost morale.
To make matters worse, in a speech defending her leadership, Badenoch appeared to double down, lumping Conservative staffers in with a wider national culture of failing to "pull their socks up" and get back on their feet. While this rhetoric may resonate with some of her core supporters, it could deepen divisions within the party, raising further questions about her leadership style and ability to unite a struggling Conservative party.