The year 2025 in Westminster was anything but dull. Despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer's promise that a Labour government would "tread more lightly" on people's lives, his party's first full calendar year in power was marked by a series of self-inflicted crises, scandals, and remarkable blunders. Opposition parties also contributed their share of headline-grabbing gaffes. Here is a look back at the most dramatic and damaging moments from the heart of British politics.
Labour's Tumultuous Year: Tears, Resignations and U-turns
One of the most visceral images of the parliamentary year came during a heated Prime Minister's Questions. Chancellor Rachel Reeves broke down in tears in the Chamber amidst pandemonium over Labour's benefit reforms. The emotional display sent bond markets into a spin, pushing up government borrowing costs on fears of a shift to a more left-wing economic policy. Reeves later attributed her tears to a personal matter, but the incident highlighted the intense pressure within the party over its policy direction.
Labour's authority was further undermined by a series of major policy reversals. Proposals to reform welfare and cut the Winter Fuel Allowance, aimed at saving around £7 billion, triggered a massive backbench rebellion involving some 130 MPs. The government was forced into U-turns on both policy packages, damaging perceptions of Starmer's ruthlessness and fuelling months of speculation about tax hikes ahead of the Budget.
The Budget process itself descended into farce with "The Leaky War." The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) accidentally published its report on Reeves' tax plans before she had even stood up to deliver her statement. The ensuing row led to the resignation of OBR chairman Richard Hughes and culminated in a Treasury inquiry into leaks. Former Bank of England economist Andy Haldane criticised the months of tax speculation for causing "paralysis among businesses and consumers."
Ministerial Missteps and Security Scandals
Ethical controversies claimed several ministerial careers. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner resigned as Deputy Prime Minister after admitting she had underpaid stamp duty on a second home in Hove. As a vocal critic of tax avoidance, her failure to meet her own standards led to widespread criticism.
In a bizarre national security episode, the prosecution of two men accused of spying for China collapsed. The government failed to provide evidence that China was a national security threat. To compound the embarrassment, a civil servant's witness statement was found to contain passages copied directly from the Labour Party manifesto, raising serious questions about evidence collection.
Other ministers also fell from grace. Tulip Siddiq resigned as the minister responsible for tackling financial corruption after her aunt, Bangladesh's leader Sheikh Hasina, was overthrown for corruption. Labour pamphlets were found at Hasina's property. Homelessness minister Rushanara Ali was forced out after hiking rents on a property she owned, contradicting her own calls for tenant protections.
Opposition Fumbles and Public Protests
It wasn't only the government having a difficult year. The opposition parties provided ample material for critics. A proposed change to inheritance tax sparked fury among farmers, leading to tractor protests in Whitehall, with former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson rallying support. The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats seized on the discontent, with farmers staging near-weekly demonstrations.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp was left floundering on GB News, unable to name the leader of the Welsh Conservative Party after a disastrous by-election result. The party also suffered the ignominy of misspelling "Britain" on conference merchandise signed off by Kemi Badenoch.
Smaller parties faced their own troubles. Green Party co-leader Zack Polanski faced ridicule for saying, "I don't particularly want to wipe someone's bum," while discussing migrant labour. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey's focus on publicity stunts – including arriving at his conference with a marching band – was seen by pollsters as overshadowing serious policy. Meanwhile, Reform UK reported its own MP, Rupert Lowe, to police over bullying allegations and faced internal strife.
From tearful ministers and security failures to tractor blockades and spelling errors, 2025 proved that Westminster remains a constant source of drama, scandal, and unexpected spectacle.
