People Making News
Coverage through Aug 11, 2026 · updated daily#59 most discussed overall#134 this week#82 most polarizingTracked since September 2025

Keir Starmer

UK Prime Minister

How news programs, podcasts and other audio feeds are discussing Keir Starmer

1,335 episodes
2% of all episodes · 3,656 mentions · 50 weeks tracked
Coverage volume
Polarized
L -0.16·R -0.43
Media tone
Outlets split by leaning

What this tone is based on

Volume-weighted across 1,216 episodes — 214 positive, 361 neutral, 641 negative. See the week-by-week trajectory ↓
Who's driving it — by outlet leaning
LeftNegative· 126 eps · 10%
CenterNegative· 771 eps · 63%
RightHostile· 334 eps · 27%

The standing dossier: leaning split, trajectory, issues, and themes.

Overall: How the spectrum covers Keir Starmer

⚡ Left and right diverge sharply

Left/right divergence 0.28 about average polarization among tracked figures.

Below is the framing and tone of Keir Starmer across 1,231 episodes with an identifiable leaning (left, center, right). Data ranges from September 2025 through August 2026.

Left126 ep

Left-leaning outlets provided extensive coverage of Keir Starmer, focusing on his leadership challenges and recent scandals, particularly surrounding his appointment of Peter Mandelson, who has ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The tone was critical, emphasizing Starmer's perceived missteps and the pressure for accountability, especially following the resignation of his deputy, Angela Rayner. This coverage highlighted contrasting narratives about his leadership, often portraying him as a leader in crisis, struggling to maintain support within his party and the public.

Tone: Negative
Center771 ep

Centrist outlets framed Keir Starmer's coverage primarily around his political struggles and the implications of recent scandals, such as the resignation of Angela Rayner and the firing of Peter Mandelson. The tone was critical, questioning Starmer's effectiveness and leadership capabilities, particularly in light of low poll ratings and the challenges posed by Donald Trump's visit. This coverage often highlighted the political landscape in the UK, suggesting that Starmer's administration is under significant scrutiny and facing mounting pressure.

Tone: Negative
Right334 ep

Right-leaning outlets criticized Keir Starmer's policies and leadership, particularly regarding his stance on recognizing a Palestinian state and his handling of free speech issues in the UK. The tone was predominantly critical, with discussions framing his decisions as politically weak or misguided, and emphasizing a disconnect between his actions and public sentiment. Coverage often linked Starmer's policies to broader criticisms of the Democratic Party and highlighted perceived failures in addressing key issues such as crime and immigration.

Tone: Hostile

Weekly Metrics

Coverage has cooled to ~26% of the prior month, and media tone is declining.

Coverage Volume

Episodes per week where this story was covered — hover any bar to preview that week's summary

Click any bar to jump to that week

Sentiment Trajectory

PositiveNegative

Average weekly sentiment score — click the line or a bar to jump to that week

Episodes per week — positive ↑ negative ↓

Coverage Summary Week by Week

49 of 51
Notable weeks:

Shortcuts to the weeks worth reading first — the busiest weeks () and the most divided (), where left- and right-leaning outlets framed the coverage very differently.

Week of August 3, 2026
Week 49 of 51
Week of Aug 3, 2026↓↓Media tone this week: Very Negative

3 episodes · central figure in 33% · mentioned in 67%

This week, coverage of Keir Starmer focused on his recent resignation and the implications for the Labour Party, as well as his political legacy and responses to sports governance.

Coverage angles this week

Often Mentioned With

People who appear alongside Keir Starmer far more than in coverage generally. Click to open their page; the multiplier is how much more often they co-occur than baseline.

Share of Voice

Absolute volume and each person's share across a defined field — how much of the conversation is Keir Starmer vs. the rivals. Toggle episodes (reach) vs. mentions (how often the name is said).

One-on-One

Week-by-week episode volume and media tone for Keir Starmer against one rival — the trend behind the share above.

Top Issues Keir Starmer Is Covered On

Coverage share is the percentage of Keir Starmer's 1,335 tracked episodes that touch each issue. An episode can touch more than one issue, so shares can total over 100%. See all Top Issues we track here.

Iran & Middle East Policy
Foreign Policy
Coverage share: 10%
LCR
Keir Starmer's approach to the Iran conflict has drawn significant scrutiny, particularly regarding his cautious stance on military involvement. While he emphasized the UK's non-participation in offensive strikes and the importance of a lawful basis for any actions, critics framed his position as weak and out of step with international sentiment. His relationship with President Trump has also been strained, with Trump openly criticizing Starmer for not supporting U.S. military efforts in the region. Overall, the coverage reflects a narrative of Starmer struggling to balance diplomatic relations while facing domestic and international pressures.
National Security & Defense
Foreign Policy
Coverage share: 5%2
LCR
Keir Starmer's leadership has been scrutinized amid ongoing discussions about the UK's defense spending and military readiness. Critics have labeled his responses to international conflicts, particularly regarding Iran and Ukraine, as insufficient and indicative of a broader failure to address national security concerns. The resignation of Defense Minister John Healy further underscores internal dissatisfaction with Starmer's commitment to defense resources. Overall, the coverage paints a picture of a Prime Minister struggling to navigate complex geopolitical challenges while facing mounting pressure at home.
Immigration
Immigration
Coverage share: 5%1
LCR
Keir Starmer's leadership has been marked by increasing scrutiny over his immigration policies, particularly following the appointment of Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary, who is expected to adopt tougher measures. Critics have labeled Starmer as out of touch, suggesting his approach to immigration has contributed to rising anti-immigrant sentiment and violence in the UK. His recent comments on asylum and immigration flows indicate a shift towards more stringent policies, yet many perceive these efforts as insufficient against the backdrop of growing populist sentiments. Overall, Starmer's handling of immigration has led to significant political backlash, culminating in his eventual resignation amid widespread dissatisfaction.
Crime & Public Safety
Public Safety
Coverage share: 5%1
LCR
Keir Starmer's leadership has come under intense scrutiny regarding crime and public safety, particularly in the wake of violent incidents and rising immigration concerns. Critics have framed his responses as inadequate, suggesting he is out of touch with the public's fears about safety, especially in relation to violent crimes attributed to immigrants. His government has been accused of prioritizing political correctness over effective crime policies, leading to perceptions of a disconnect between politicians and citizens. Amidst these challenges, Starmer has attempted to address security concerns, yet his actions have often been met with skepticism and criticism.
Economy & Cost of Living
Economy
Coverage share: 4%
LCR
Keir Starmer's tenure as Prime Minister has been marred by a series of economic challenges, leading to significant political instability and his eventual resignation. Throughout this period, his administration faced slow economic growth, public dissatisfaction, and internal party dissent, culminating in calls for his departure from within the Labour Party. Despite attempts to address economic issues and promote growth, Starmer struggled to present a coherent vision, which contributed to his declining popularity. His resignation not only reflects his personal failures but also signals a broader crisis in the Labour Party's approach to economic governance.

Tone is split by outlet leaning (● = left/center/right). = episodes in the last 28 days.

Recurring Coverage Themes

Storylines that keep surfacing across weeks of coverage — the angles media returns to most when discussing Keir Starmer.

Leadership Challenges and Resignation

Keir Starmer's leadership has been characterized by persistent scrutiny over his effectiveness and competence, culminating in his resignation amid declining popularity and internal party dissent. Media narratives frequently highlight the challenges he faced in unifying the Labour Party and addressing public concerns, often framing his tenure as marked by scandals and electoral failures. This theme persists due to ongoing political dynamics and the significant implications of his leadership on the Labour Party's future.

580 episodesSep 2025 – Aug 2026↓↓Media tone: Very Negative
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Keir Starmer's Foreign Policy Challenges

Keir Starmer's foreign policy has been a focal point of media scrutiny, characterized by mixed reactions to his diplomatic engagements and policy decisions. The persistent narrative reflects ongoing concerns about his competence and effectiveness in navigating complex international issues, particularly in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and military cooperation with the U.S. This theme persists as commentators evaluate his leadership against the backdrop of significant geopolitical challenges.

292 episodesSep 2025 – Aug 2026Media tone: Slightly Negative
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Leadership Under Scandal and Scrutiny

Keir Starmer's leadership is characterized by ongoing scandals, particularly surrounding his controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the U.S. These incidents have led to significant media scrutiny regarding his judgment, competence, and ethical standards, creating a persistent narrative of vulnerability and accountability challenges within his leadership. The media frames this narrative through a lens of scandal and character assessment, questioning Starmer's ability to navigate high-profile controversies effectively.

82 episodesSep 2025 – May 2026↓↓Media tone: Very Negative
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