Businesses should prepare for a post-Starmer future

Oliver Dean | 5th February 2026 | Comment
10 Downing Street will soon have a new occupant
10 Downing Street will soon have a new occupant

Starmer's position is unquestionably weak, and businesses would do well to prepare for his eventual ousting, argues Oliver Dean

To say that Starmer is in a bad position would be to undersell the situation. His leadership has been shaky for some time, with rumours of leadership challenges becoming commonplace in Westminster. The Prime Minister’s recent spat with Burnham, has not helped matters. Whilst viewed by some as the NEC’s decision rather than Starmer’s personally, such bickering has only added to the Prime Minister’s woes. Were the situation not bad enough, the new revelations surrounding Mandelson and Epstein may well turn out to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Speaking at the despatch box during Prime Minister’s questions on Wednesday, Starmer admitted that he was aware of Mandelson’s links to Epstein following his conviction, and yet appointed him to the position of Ambassador nevertheless. It was an admission that could prove to be fatal, with many waiting in the wings to replace the Prime Minister.

Yet, perhaps one of the more interesting roots of the Prime Minister’s troubles is Mandelson’s lobbying practices and Starmer’s lack of due diligence. Reports suggest that the information handed to Starmer on Mandelson amounted to no more than a cut and pasted page of Google research. This reveals a lack of judgement and ignorance that demonstrates the Prime Minister may not be up to the job. In appointing Mandelson despite these concerns, Starmer has only himself to blame for the …

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.



Farmers have suffered enough this summer — it’s time the government got on side

John Cooper | August 27, 2026

Britain’s farmers have battled repeated heatwaves and droughts, but MP John Cooper says the government’s Family Farm Tax is piling further pressure on an industry that desperately needs

It’s not a popularity contest: The case for protecting Meghan and Harry 

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | August 25, 2026

You don’t have to like the Sussexes to believe the government has a duty to protect them.

Is money a factor behind Prince Harry’s move back to the UK?

Mace | August 21, 2026

Is there a connection between Prince Harry's share of a £34 million legal bill and his sudden move back to the UK? The Mace follows the money.

Are Meghan and Harry about to undergo a PR makeover?  

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | August 20, 2026

Could the Sussexes’ shock UK return finally bring peace with the royals - and the British press?

Burnham is trying to fix Whitehall, but will the political machinery change?

Mace | August 7, 2026

Andy Burnham is shaking up government with more changes than by any incoming prime minister in memory. But, asks Sir Bernard Jenkin MP, does he understand why the

Dame Antonia’s key civil service reforms are ready to be supported by Whitehall, says Jonathan Freeman

Mace | August 1, 2026

The Civil Service is ready to support Dame Antonia Romeo's flagship changes to government machinery - notably relating to AI and devolution - under new prime minister Andy

Experts warn more government support needed to help UK aviation meet net zero by 2050

Mace | July 30, 2026

UK aviation can decarbonise while meeting growth ambitions, but urgent government action is needed to prevent costs increasing for passengers and the sector losing its competitive edge.

Don’t rule out an early election as Burnham may see an opportunity to kick Reform, says Fred de Fossard

Fred de Fossard | July 28, 2026

With the new Prime minister championing policies which go beyond Labour’s very confined 2024 manifesto, an early election is not illogical.

Despite promises of radical change, Labour’s culture of ruling political families remains entrenched

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | July 28, 2026

Andy Burnham's inner circle appears to perpetuate Labour's long-running culture of nepotism, and is doomed to cause frustration among backbenchers.

Kemi’s true blue purge, with help from Sir Philip May

William Cash | July 26, 2026

The news that former Home Secretary Sir Grant Shapps has failed to make the new Tory candidate list has put fear into dozens of former Conservative MPs. Whether