After a year like that Sir Keir will be hoping there's some truth in the words from the Blair-era anthem 'Things can only get better'

MOST new prime ministers and governments get a honeymoon period when moving into Downing Street. A spell when they are able to revel in the backing of an electorate which has given them the keys to No 10 following a general election victory. Especially so after a landslide victory, as was the case 12 months ago, when Labour returned to Government for the first time in 14 years.

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But Sir Keir Starmer's own honeymoon barely left the departure lounge, such has been the unmitigated disaster that has unfolded ever since July 4, 2024.

In 12 shambolic months, Sir Keir and his top team have stumbled embarrassingly from crisis to crisis, which has seen public trust in the Government fall to its lowest level since records began.

Polls currently show Labour will be turfed out at the next election, probably in 2029, by Nigel Farage's Reform UK and there are already mutterings of "regime change" from backbench MPs who want a better leader.

So where did it all go wrong for Sir Keir and his party, which secured a historic victory with 411 seats, a majority of 174?

They stood on a manifesto of what it described as five bold missions focusing on the economy, green energy, the NHS, tackling crime and boosting education.

After entering Downing Street, they took no time in blaming previous Tory governments for leaving the country in a "mess", citing a £22billion "black hole" in the nation's finances.

Just two months in and cracks were also beginning to show at the heart of Downing Street.

However, calamity number one wasn't far off when Chancellor Rachel Reeves suddenly announced, just 25 days after polling day, that she was slashing the universal winter fuel payment for around 10 million pensioners.

Branded "cruel" and "shameless" by critics, the decision took most people by surprise and was one that has had major ramifications for Labour ever since.

It was immediately seized on by the Daily Express as we launched a crusade to reverse the policy.

The Chancellor's decision was also hugely politically damaging and was widely ridiculed by the public, sparking protests and even a chart-topping song, "Freezing This Christmas", parodying the Prime Minister.