Standing for an hour before his party delegates at the Labour Annual Conference in Liverpool, Prime Minister Keir Starmer – the first left-leaning leader to address the stage as head of government after 14 years of Conservative rule – tried to steady a ship already taking on water. Barely three months after his July election victory, Starmer faces a dramatic 28-point fall in support. He light-heartedly admitted he turns to Beethoven and Brahms for relief from the criticism but offered only an appeal for trust over the biggest question hanging over him: the “gift scandal” involving donations from wealthy backers.
Promising Change Amid Controversy
Despite the uproar, Starmer’s speech drew a warm reception. He portrayed Labour’s July win as proof “the country belongs to the people” and defended his early economic reforms aimed at restoring stability. Critics, however, call the policies unpopular and out of touch. Starmer argued that Labour had already transformed itself and could also renew the nation, winning applause and a standing ovation.
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The Gifts That Sparked ‘Frockgate’
Attention soon turned to reports that expensive clothes, sports tickets and concert passes for Starmer and his wife had been funded by Labour donor Lord Alli – including tickets to major football matches, designer eyewear and concert seats worth thousands of pounds. Some of these items allegedly went undeclared in Parliament’s donations register. Conservative MPs are now demanding an inquiry into the relationship between the prime minister and one of Labour’s biggest financial supporters.
Defensive Prime Minister
Starmer insists all gifts were properly recorded and argues that choosing certain seating arrangements at stadiums helped reduce taxpayer security costs. Nevertheless, the press has dubbed the affair “Frockgate” and extended its focus to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who also reportedly accepted hospitality or gifts. Rayner and Reeves have since pledged to fund their own work wardrobes.
Integrity vs. Public Perception
The row undercuts one of Starmer’s key promises: to restore honesty and transparency to government after years of Conservative scandals. Critics liken the episode to controversies involving Boris Johnson’s flat refurbishment or other past Conservative improprieties, saying Labour risks appearing no different.
Policy Agenda Beyond t
At the conference, Starmer tried to refocus attention on his agenda: a decade-long plan for the NHS, climate and energy investments, a new Security Command to manage illegal immigration, raising minimum wages, hiring more teachers, closing a £22-billion fiscal gap left by the Tories, rebuilding public services and protecting workers. “The work of change has begun,” he concluded.
