Kemi Badenoch Calls Keir Starmer a ‘Plastic Bag in the Wind’ After Digital ID Flip

Keir Starmer Faces Criticism Over Frequent Policy Reversals

Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has faced significant criticism in recent days for his party’s frequent policy reversals. One particularly notable comparison was that he is "like a plastic bag in the wind," a metaphor used by Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, to suggest that Starmer lacks direction and consistency in his policies.

This criticism came after Downing Street hinted that Starmer might consider further changes to his government’s approach. The Prime Minister’s decision to drop plans for mandatory digital ID cards marked the 13th U-turn during his 18-month leadership. This move was seen as a dramatic shift in direction, especially given the initial enthusiasm for the policy.

During a heated session in the House of Commons, Badenoch welcomed the decision to scrap the compulsory digital ID cards, calling it a "rubbish policy." However, she questioned whether Starmer could be trusted to maintain any of his policies, stating, "He is blowing around like a plastic bag in the wind, with no sense of direction whatsoever."

Labour insiders have suggested that Starmer’s strategy involves removing unpopular policies—referred to as "barnacles on the boat"—to focus on addressing the cost of living crisis. This approach has led to pressure on him to reconsider other controversial decisions, such as plans to scrap jury trials and extend business rates relief for pubs to the broader hospitality sector.

A spokesperson for No 10 stated that the Prime Minister remains focused on delivering on the cost of living, which is a top priority for 2026. However, this stance has not satisfied all members of the Labour Party.

Discontent Among Labour MPs

In the Commons, Starmer insisted that he was "turning the country round," but the latest policy reversal disappointed some senior Labour figures. Lord Blunkett, a long-time supporter of digital ID cards, expressed disappointment at the PM’s failure to stick to the policy announced just three months earlier. He noted that the Government lacked a strategic plan to sell the policy to voters, allowing critics to fill the vacuum.

Labour MP Karl Turner, who is campaigning against the plans to curb jury trials, said that his colleagues were "sick and fed up of defending stuff that was not in the manifesto" and had not been run by the Parliamentary Labour Party or the Cabinet. He added, "We are getting cheesed off about being marched up hills on surprise policies that simply cannot work."

The ongoing series of U-turns has also caused concern within the Cabinet. Earlier this week, Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned that Labour needed to start "getting it right first time." Business Secretary Peter Kyle echoed this sentiment, saying the Government had to "get better at explaining our policies."

Digital ID Cards and Public Services

Previously, Starmer argued that mandatory ID cards were necessary to combat illegal working, with ministers stating they could be required for children as young as 13 to take up a Saturday job. However, No 10 recently clarified that other forms of digital ID would not be allowed to prove eligibility to work in the UK. Officials were unable to explain why other forms of ID could not continue to be used for accessing government services.

Despite this, the Government insisted that digital ID could eventually "transform" the way people gain access to public services. This promise has not alleviated concerns among critics who see the policy as a potential misstep.

Influence from Previous Leaders

Starmer is reportedly drawing inspiration from Gordon Brown, despite Brown’s brief premiership from 2007 to 2010 ending in election defeat. A senior Labour figure told The Spectator magazine that for much of the past 15 years, Gordon has been a "nuisance caller" to Labour leaders, but now they are taking his calls and following his advice.

Another source mentioned that Tony Blair has "basically given up on Keir." These developments highlight the internal challenges facing the Labour Party as it navigates a complex political landscape.