Voters Will Judge Starmer on Cost-of-Living, Not Middle East Crisis
In a recent discussion on Times Radio, political editor Anna Mikhailova shared her insights on the pressing issues facing Keir Starmer and the Labour Party ahead of an impending electoral battle. According to Mikhailova, while the ongoing crisis in the Middle East commands significant global attention, it is the cost-of-living crisis that will be the determining factor for voters in the UK.
“The economic hit that we’re about to experience would effectively finish off any government that was in,” Mikhailova asserted, highlighting the potential repercussions of rising inflation and financial strain on households across the nation. With energy bills soaring and prices of everyday goods skyrocketing, voters are increasingly feeling the pinch, and their frustration is likely to be directed at the government in power.
Mikhailova pointed out that the challenges arising from external geopolitical issues, such as the Middle East conflict, often pale in comparison to the immediate economic concerns faced by families and individuals. Voters, she emphasized, are more likely to assess their leaders based on their responses to the cost-of-living crisis, which directly impacts their day-to-day lives.
This sentiment reflects a broader trend observed in recent polling data, where issues like inflation and economic stability dominate voters’ concerns over international affairs. As political leaders navigate these turbulent waters, the ability to effectively communicate and address domestic economic issues is becoming increasingly critical.
Starmer’s challenge lies in not only acknowledging the gravity of international crises but also in providing tangible solutions to the pressing financial woes faced by the electorate. As the Labour leader positions himself to possible victory in the upcoming elections, he must prioritize the domestic agenda to resonate with voters who are more concerned about their financial well-being than global conflicts.
The conversation highlighted the ongoing complexities in British politics and the various factors that can influence voter sentiment. With the cost-of-living squeeze expected to remain a priority, how Starmer and his party adapt to this reality will be crucial as they seek to connect with a populace that is growing weary of economic uncertainty.
Watch the video by Times News
Video “Voters Will Judge Starmer on Cost-of-Living, Not Middle East Crisis | Anna Mikhailova” was uploaded on 03/19/2026 to Youtube Channel Times News






































Naive comments from Kemi. The trolls will have a field day and take her words literally. Yes we must stand up for our society. 8:46
The economy was buggered long before the Iran crisis.
The police are useless. We have to stand up for our own civilization and civil society.
Such smugness. I am not a supporter of Badenoch, but she was making a point. And you three were sniggering.
I barely read or watch anything from the Times these days. Your arrogance and detachment is nauseating.
Trump caused the financial crisis you have to remember the conservatives and reform wanted to back trump in his war now they do a u turn.
Shame on all three of you. Many of us admire Mrs. Badenoch’s bottle. Thankfully I can turn you off.
Such a shame to see this belittling of a serious issue. Maybe it’s my Welsh heritage but I am so angry that you would distort this topic. The outcry and emotion when this happens to you 👀 however it is important to be clear and fair in how this debate is framed. Suggesting that calls for greater social responsibility amount to encouraging vigilantism is a mischaracterisation.🤬
Social responsibility is a collective response, and communities are weakened when bad behaviour is ignored. People should feel a duty to acknowledge and challenge anti-social conduct.
At the same time, many hard-working taxpayers are increasingly frustrated by the perceived lack of effective action when shoplifting and anti-social behaviour occur. That frustration is understandable.
What a pathetic and inane conversation about shoplifting, utterly clueless by Pienaar desperately trying to goad the others into attacking Badenoch.
The level of debate though, jeez, absolutely abysmal.
We used to have journalists of real gravitas and authority in the U.K. but we’re now reduced to gibbering simpletons like this lot.
I don't understand the Kemi outrage on the topic of shoplifting. Shall we celebrate civic cowardice. If you can stand-up to criminality then do, if you cannot do it safely then don't. That seems to be her message. Not sure if John as a daughter or wife but if, God forbid, she was attacked is the right response to phone the police and take notes for the sake of the court case.
Voters have already judged Starmer. We have measured him and he has come up seriously wanting. To put it into Lefty language, he's 'SCUM' and an utter "SHAMBLES".
Dont you tell me what I will judge Starmer on. I will make my own decisions thank you very much. I know you are trying to lead public opinion and not report on it as you should be doing. The very last thing I will judge him on is Times News totally biased opinion. Its been very obvious for some time you are trying undermine our government . The question is why ? Who is paying you ? Is big money from America involved by any chance ?
So you ask a question that has no right answer then pull Kemi apart for her answer? If she's said "no, keep out" then you'd have decried her lack of support for law and order. It says more about her character that she would consider intervening. (She'd scare me.) What next? Ask Kier Starmer when he stopped beating his wife?
What SHAMEFUL comments from these so called Journalists in ridiculing Badenoch for standing up for a civil society!😮
Voters judge Starmer on his scandalous behaviour. A Stooge who will ramp up his efforts to please his masters. Liebour are a disgrace.
I think smashing a shop lifter in the face with a tin of baked beans would be appropriate action. E bikes and cycling on the pavement are a modern scourge. The speed that some of those idiots go at is dangerous.
We will judge this PM on his lies an inability to govern and his fear of his own party in actually trying to stop migrant invasion.
They could get rid of Net Zero, but they won't.
Intervene to help then get shafted by the law…no ty
Wrong. People have already judged Starmer. Hes an incompetent and a liar. But the problem isnt limited to Starmer. The problem is Labour. They are nothing but a ramshackle collection of activists who have a lot to say but utterly clueless about strategy and implementation. As usual Labour deliver lower outcomes
Starmer needs putting in a care home he’s to old for the job a old man that’s trying to to do a young man’s job he’s over with yesterday man
John Pienar is such a sad man.
I think he was judged a long time before these problems arose. 2TierKier.
I am the quietest person ever, 5ft 2 inches tall, and hate confrontation. But I challenged a thief…stealing from Marks and Spencer's…who was stuffing large bags of nuts and other treats she fancied in her bulging bag , hiding in an area that sold flowers that was hidden from view a little! I was so angry, because I have to pay…and they were helping themselves…I knew she was stealing and she clocked me, clocking her…she even circled past me because she may of thought I was security. When I didn't challenge her she went to stuff more items in her bag…I walked right up to her and stared at her bag…she stopped afraid and looked worried. I mouthed you thief…she ran away scared and I told security. You don't need to physically get involved…just let them know they are a thief at the very least and challenge them a little. So sick of people just helping themselves, while the rest of us have to pay.
Starmer is a COWARD
Spx6900 ❤Dash same supply as bitcoin need grab at least 1 Dash while low and DCA btc .❤
Time to get real; tax the rich thatcherites those with no obligation [honour] or compassion.
A private health insurance bill is another poll tax.
They will jydge gim as anto british and being a eurpphile roll on may elections…..
WRONG, starmer will be judged for turning on the people he's supposed to represent, traitor to the core
We will judge Starmer on what he has achieved over the last 16 months – nothing! He has reduced the morale of the people to zero , unless that is you are non- Christian illegal immigrant.
If we get a chance to vote, i am pretty sure the electorate have allready made up their mind about starmer…
They will judge how he kept all his manifesto promises (none kept zero). How he treated people during the protests to mass invasion? How he represents the Epstein class the enemy of the people not Russia or China.
We will be judging him on everything he’s deliberately destroyed. The biggest traitor ever
Don't AV to judge I'm.on the cost off living e as already been judged as the most hated man that ever became a pm e was judged on all the furkn lies evtold to con himself inta number ten
Judge him on eneything you want he crap I lifetime of failure do I need to make a list it will be a very long one
Starmer will be judged on all his lies and misinformation and mistakes
No, we judge noncy globalist puppets and propaganda 'media' like yourselves the same. We despise you all.
Hey , when i’m over here , i see stuff happening but don’t intervene . I would be in danger of being arrested for some b s or other so i just let it happen . 🇺🇸😊
I think people who are knowledgeable should be asking (WHY YOUNG under-aged BOYS
FIRE-BOMBING THE PM's House's & car's after what he allegedly did to them…. after the EPSTINE & pizza gate & child Trafficking, thats running Rampant in the halls of power & elite's
All planned own nothing be happy
Wrong: vigilante justice would be the public imposing punishment on shoplifters, such as beating or the birch,…apprehending or chasing off thieves is not vigilante justice, it is policing by the public in the absence of Uniformed Constables.
The Police are simply paid members of the public who are required to undertake duties which the public would otherwise discharge. The Police are supposed to professionalise crime PREVENTION, not to have some magical powers that the rest of the public do not have.
We have given too much power to the Police by neglecting our duty to police our own communities, to both support and be supported by, our local Constables, with 30 years of the Police being withdrawn from local stations, taken off the beat and put in to vehicles, and to policing on behalf of the State, rather than by Consent of the Public.
Policing needs serious reform to get back to enacting the Principles of Policing, and the public having a greater role, say, and consensus in Police priorities (PREVENTION of Crime being the true measure of success, not crimes reported or solved). Peel said that the Police would be seen as successful when there was an absence of crime, but we focus on how many crimes Police solve, totally wrong.