Keir Starmer entered 10 Downing Street on Wednesday morning, clutching tightly onto his wife Victoria's hand in what a body language expert described as an "inner pain" display reminiscent of a "boy being taken off for his first day at school." The PM did not respond to journalists' questions and appeared grim-faced as he left the premises. His departure came after brief talks with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who also emerged from No10 looking somber.
The King's Speech is set to outline key government plans over the upcoming parliamentary session. According to Prime Minister Starmer, these include strengthening public services, cutting costs of living, and addressing hospital waiting lists. Over 35 bills are expected to be introduced during this period, covering areas such as asylum, leasehold rights, transforming school systems, and creating a "British FBI."
Starmer's predicament deepened with the resignation of safeguarding minister Jess Phillips on Tuesday. She launched a scathing attack on Starmer’s record for blocking steps to protect children online. This comes in addition to the growing number of MPs demanding his resignation following disastrous election results across England, Wales, and Scotland.
In an effort to regain momentum, Starmer is set for crucial talks with Streeting before delivering his speech at Parliament. The body language expert Judi James noted that "Starmer failed to signal resilience" as he left 10 Downing Street on Wednesday morning. His tightly clasped hand around Victoria's was described by the expert as a desperate move to appear composed.
As Starmer prepares for the State Opening of Parliament, the challenges ahead loom large. The upcoming speech will be closely watched not only for its content but also for how it reflects the current state of leadership within the Labour Party and its response to internal and external pressures.
This article was produced by AVALW News on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 based on reporting from 5 verified news sources across 2 countries. Our editorial process cross-references facts from multiple independent outlets to deliver accurate, comprehensive coverage. All original sources are linked below.