Keir Starmer’s first 100 days as PM ends in embarrassment as £1bn cash boost for Britain axed
KEIR Starmer’s first 100 days as PM ended in embarrassment as a £1billion cash boost for Britain was pulled.
The Prime Minister was expecting the spending to be unveiled at his much-trumpeted investment summit next week.
But Dubai-based DP World — which owns P&O Ferries — was savaged over workers’ rights by two Cabinet ministers and cancelled the announcement for London Gateway container port.
Shadow Business Secretary Kevin Hollinrake last night said: “It shows that Labour Cabinet Ministers have never been in business, don’t understand business and don’t know how to talk to business. They just haven’t got a clue.
“Investment should be rolling in, not being scared off.”
The ferry company came under fire two years ago for sacking 800 British seafarers and replacing them with cheaper overseas staff.
During discussions on workers’ rights this week, Deputy PM Angela Rayner renewed the attack, while Transport Secretary Louise Haigh described the company as “cowboy operators”.
DP World says its plan for expansion of the London port is now under review — despite months of talks and the cash being signed off by boss Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
He was due to attend the summit with fellow executives on Monday — but has pulled out.
It was seen as a blow to Sir Keir, who was hoping the event would reset his gloomy narrative around the economy.
As he met other UK leaders and mayors in Edinburgh yesterday, he said: “In the last four weeks, we have had at least five or six huge investments in the UK, including £24billion today.
“This is very, very good for the country, very, very good for the future of jobs.”
However, he was rocked by glum polling showing nearly six in ten voters did not rate his No10 performance so far.
Releasing prisoners early and cutting winter fuel payments were most unpopular.
But Cabinet Minister Pat McFadden said change took time, writing in The Sun: “We are beginning to deliver.”