KEMI: CRISIS-HIT PM FAILING TO TACKLE GROWING CHALLENGES

Starmer too 'distracted' to deal with economic turmoil and Russian threats

- By Jonathan Walker Whitehall Editor

KEIR Starmer’s government of “scandal and crisis” is incapable of leading Britain, Kemi Badenoch has warned.

The Conservative leader said the Prime Minister “is distracted from the real and growing challenges our country faces”. These include economic turmoil and the threat from Russia, while this week the Peter Mandelson scandal has added fuel to a growing civil war within the Labour Party.

Writing in today’s Daily Express, Mrs Badenoch blasted Sir Keir for his poor judgment after recent exits also included his deputy Angela Rayner over her tax affairs.

The Tory leader also highlighted the urgent need to tackle poor economic growth, potential tax rises in November's Budget and fears for Europe’s security after Russian drones entered Polish airspace.

She said: “We are saddled with a weak Prime Minister, who consistently displays bad judgment, and is more concerned with his party than our country.

“Meanwhile, people are struggling with the rising cost of living.”

It comes as Labour insiders said Mr Mandelson was “very angry” about his sacking as ambassador to the US over his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and would try to salvage his reputation by shifting the blame on to Sir Keir.

The saga has led to relations between the PM and his MPs sinking to a new low.

Left-winger Clive Lewis said he had “lost control” and “just doesn’t seem up to the job”, while a Labour colleague said there was growing “disdain” for their leader within the parliamentary party following a Cabinet reshuffle “that has left everybody unhappy”. Another Labour MP said: “Everybody in the Commons is asking whether Keir has the judgment to do this job — and he’s shown once again that he hasn’t.”