Yvette Cooper: Labour Failed Under Starmer's Leadership 2026

Yvette Cooper, the health secretary, has admitted that Labour 'did not do government very well' under Keir Starmer's leadership, revealing internal tensions in a candid podcast interview. Her comments highlight a style of leadership that she believes may not work in politics.

Cooper's Criticism of Starmer's Leadership

Speaking on the Political Currency podcast with former Conservative chancellor George Osborne, Cooper detailed the difficulties ministers faced under Starmer. She summarized his approach as "bring me solutions, not problems," a method she argued is flawed in the political arena. Cooper contrasted this with the more collegiate style of Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, whom she praised for fostering collaboration.

Cooper specifically cited the launch of the immigration white paper in May 2025, where she was sidelined. Despite the Home Office doing much of the work, No. 10 insisted that Starmer front the announcement alone. Cooper revealed she did not see the content beforehand, leaving her to defend policies she hadn't reviewed. This incident exemplifies the operational disconnect she described.

The Immigration White Paper Incident

During the launch, Starmer spoke of preventing Britain from becoming an "island of strangers," a phrase Cooper later had to defend. She told Osborne: "Keir wanted the immigration white paper. Actually, we did a lot of the work on it in the Home Office... But then No 10 wanted Keir to announce it on his own and to front that up, and so I didn’t see what was going to be said." This lack of coordination, she argued, undermined effective governance.

Comparison: Starmer vs. Burnham

Cooper's remarks suggest a preference for Burnham's approach. She noted that Burnham encourages ministers to bring problems to him, rather than solutions only. This difference in leadership style could have significant implications for policy-making and party cohesion.

Key Takeaways

• Yvette Cooper criticizes Keir Starmer's leadership style as "bring me solutions, not problems."
• She was excluded from the immigration white paper launch, highlighting No.10's control.
• Cooper favors Andy Burnham's more collaborative approach.
• She advocates for national consensus on social care and Sure Start-style children's centres.
• The comments reveal internal Labour tensions and potential leadership debates.

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