The UK Parliament ended its last session before the summer recess with more questions than answers, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced mounting pressure following a serious Afghan data breach and gloomy faces across the Labour front bench.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle raised alarms about the concealed leak of Afghan refugees’ data, saying it “raises significant constitutional issues.” The breach had been hidden for years under a super-injunction and only became public after a recent court ruling forced its release. The Speaker said his office would now examine the issue and report back to the House.
Labour’s handling of the situation has left many uneasy. Though the breach happened under the former Conservative government, the current administration only agreed to lift the super-injunction after legal pressure. At Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Starmer said former Tory ministers had “serious questions to answer.”
Yet, the focus quickly shifted to the Labour government’s own problems. Deputy political editor Sam Coates noted the lack of energy among Labour’s top team, describing the mood at PMQs as “glum,” with Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner appearing especially discouraged.
Why is Labour planning a reset?
The state of the economy, combined with rising inflation and possible tax hikes in the autumn budget, has left the new government facing early criticism. Kemi Badenoch, a Conservative MP, used the opportunity to attack Labour’s economic approach, saying the public should brace for more financial pain. Starmer struggled to respond directly, prompting insiders to suggest that a “reset plan” may be drawn up during the summer break.
Meanwhile, environmental concerns also surfaced. Liberal Democrat MP Pippa Heylings questioned the lack of water infrastructure, pointing out that no new reservoirs had been built in over 14 years. Starmer agreed and said the government is now focused on rebuilding infrastructure, including water and housing projects.
The political tension continued when Tory MP Graham Stuart mocked Labour’s manifesto, comparing it to a bestselling book now facing allegations of dishonesty. Starmer defended his party’s platform, saying it led to a “landslide victory” and that Labour is “very proud” to be implementing it.
On the international stage, Labour MP Imran Hussain criticized the UK’s position on Gaza, calling for stronger sanctions against Israel over alleged war crimes. Starmer said he was “appalled” by reports of civilian deaths and stressed the need for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid.
Health concerns were also raised, particularly regarding access to the only approved drug for extreme pregnancy sickness. Starmer promised to connect relevant MPs with the health minister to address these challenges.
Could digital IDs help Labour crack down on illegal working?
Labour MP Paul Waugh suggested faster rollout of digital ID cards to help tackle illegal working by undocumented migrants. Starmer confirmed that enforcement has increased and digital IDs, including e-visas, are already being rolled out to allow instant checks on workers’ legal status.
Finally, Starmer addressed calls to repeal the Legacy Act, a law meant to protect Northern Ireland veterans. He explained that the law had been struck down by courts, and the government plans to replace it with a transparent system that balances justice for victims and security for veterans.
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, also offered his party’s support for a public inquiry into the Afghan data breach. He further urged Starmer to consider recommendations in a new report on rising antisemitism in the UK. Starmer promised to review it and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to fighting antisemitism in all forms.
With so many heavy issues weighing on the government, it is no surprise that Starmer is now expected to create a reset plan over the summer. By the time Parliament resumes, the public will be watching closely to see whether Labour can recover its footing and deliver on its promises.