Prime Minister Keir Starmer has found himself at the center of controversy after publicly criticizing his transport secretary, Louise Haigh, during an interview.

Starmer’s remarks have exposed growing tensions within his government as it faces backlash from P&O Ferries’ parent company, DP World, following Ms. Haigh’s recent comments urging a boycott of the ferry operator.

Ms. Haigh’s criticism stems from P&O’s controversial decision to fire and rehire 800 employees as part of a cost-cutting move.

During an interview earlier in the week, she labeled P&O a “cowboy operator,” a description that further strained relations between the company and the government.

DP World, in response, retaliated by canceling its £1 billion Thames Gateway investment ahead of a major investors’ summit set for Monday, October 14.

When pressed about Ms. Haigh’s comments, Starmer distanced himself from his transport secretary’s statements. “Well, look, that’s not the view of the government,” he said.

However, he quickly sought to redirect the focus to more pressing matters.

“What matters to me is keeping our focus on that inward investment because it’s the jobs of the future that matter — jobs that are well-paid, secure, and skilled.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Tensions Rise Over Haigh’s Public Remarks

The Prime Minister’s remarks follow reports of internal tensions within his administration. Some insiders claim the criticism directed at Ms. Haigh is an attempt to deflect blame from Downing Street and protect deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, whose involvement in the matter also drew attention.

The original complaint against DP World and P&O was rooted in a press release cleared by Downing Street, containing inflammatory comments from both Rayner and Haigh about workers’ rights.

Ms. Haigh’s allies are not taking the prime minister’s rebuke lightly. One supporter described the public criticism as “a complete disgrace,” suggesting that Starmer’s inner circle is “running out of friends” after a series of recent missteps.

Speculation about changes within the Labour Party’s leadership team continues to swirl, including possible shifts in election coordination, further complicating the situation.

Meanwhile, Starmer is trying to shift the narrative toward economic growth and job creation. Speaking about the importance of foreign investment, he stressed that despite DP World’s decision to pull out of its £1 billion Thames Gateway project, the upcoming investor summit on Monday will still be a significant success.

“Don’t underestimate the significance that so many top-level investors are coming. They want to be part of the conversation we’re going to have on Monday. It’s a very significant event.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer

In a bid to ease concerns, Starmer also pointed to ongoing discussions with investors. He revealed that many businesses have been hesitant to invest in the UK due to economic instability caused by the previous administration.

“I’ve had lots of discussions with investors over the last two or three years and asked the question, ‘Why are you not investing in the UK?’ The answer? A lack of confidence in the last government because it was chopping and changing.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer

As tensions mount within his government and external pressures from key investors loom, Starmer’s ability to manage both internal disputes and economic challenges may determine the trajectory of his leadership in the coming months.