Keir Starmer’s public approval ratings have fallen in his first month in office since winning the election. Keir Starmer’s popularity decline comes as far-right riots and civil unrest grip Britain. Far-right extremists are attacking police, mosques, and shops in towns and cities across the UK. This article examines the recent riots in the UK and their effects on the Labour Party.

Extreme right-wing riots in British cities

In the past days, in addition to Rotherham, the cities of Hull, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Middlesbrough, and Blackpool in England and Belfast in Northern Ireland were also the scene of clashes between far-right anti-immigration groups and the police. These riots started on July 29, after a 17-year-old attacker attacked a summer school for children aged 6 to 11. The attack led to the death of three young girls, and the injury of several other children and two adults. Following this attack, there was fake news on social networks that the attacker was a refugee and a Muslim. But the court announced that his name was Axel Rudakubana, born in Cardiff, the UK.

Keir Starmer family holiday cancelled

Misinformation published on social media has provoked extreme right groups and caused riots and insecurity. Downing Street confirmed that Starmer would not be going on holiday and would hold a meeting of the Civil Contingencies Committee (COBR). However, critics argue that he should have been more transparent about his holiday plans earlier. Critics believe that Keir Starmer’s popularity decline was due to his delay in dealing with the riots.

A 16% drop in satisfaction with Keir Starmer

The Opinium poll comes amid speculation that Keir Starmer will go on a family holiday as planned despite the escalation of violence nationwide. Keir Starmer’s popularity decline is one of the first responses to the spread of far-right riots in the UK. According to the results of the Opinium survey, the net satisfaction with the Prime Minister has decreased by 16%. According to the poll, 35% approve of Sir Keir Starmer’s performance as Prime Minister, while 32% disapprove, giving him a net rating of +3%. This figure is 16% lower than the previous survey after the elections.

Decline of satisfaction with the Chancellor in the Starmer government

The spread of far-right riots has caused Keir Starmer’s popularity to decline. Moreover, the Opinium poll results spelled bad news for Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. Net satisfaction with Reeves’ performance also declined. The drop in popularity came after Reeves revealed a £22bn deficit in the country’s finances, announced a cut in winter fuel allowances for 10 million pensioners, and other cuts, including the end of a program to build new hospitals. The net satisfaction rate of his performance reached 11%, with a significant drop of 23%. The participants in the survey expressed 23% satisfaction and 36% dissatisfaction with Reeves’ performance.

The attack of extreme right groups on asylum seekers

Protests continue in the UK after a deadly attack a few days ago in which an African-American teenager killed three little girls. The former UK government led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had a plan on the agenda, according to which immigrants who came to this country illegally would be transferred to Rwanda after being detained. But with Starmer’s victory in the country’s elections months ago, the order to cancel this plan was issued. Reports from the city of Rotherham in the north of England also indicate that the protesters were trying to break into the hotel where the asylum seekers are staying. The Guardian reported in this context that the rebels tried to set fire to this hotel while wearing masks.

Starmer’s threatening message to the far right

Starmer has threatened to punish the far right. In a threatening televised message to the protesters, the British Prime Minister said: “I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online, and then running away themselves.” He then added that there is no justification for such actions by extreme right-wing mobs and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The actions of the UK government to deal with extreme violence

On August 5, the UK government held an emergency meeting called COBRA on how to respond to the rising wave of violence against immigrants in the UK and Northern Ireland. Keir Starmer says a series of measures were agreed upon at the meeting. Among other things, a group of special police officers will be on standby to intervene if needed. Starmer also said that the meeting decided to apply criminal laws to those who commit crimes online. He expects that there will be no difference between applying laws regarding the commission of crimes online or offline.

Uncertainty in decision making: Keir Starmer’s popularity decline

Starmer’s critics have called for the military to deal with the unrest. Critics have criticized Starmer for being slow to decide how to deal with the far-right. Keir Starmer’s popularity declined one month after becoming British Prime Minister, which is strange. This shows the British have no hope of improving their living conditions by the Labour Party. Starmer’s performance has also been disappointing. If Keir Starmer’s popularity decline continues, Labour members will consider replacing him with a more suitable candidate for leadership in the Labour Party.