There’s a common phrase in life that goes something like “when you’re in a hole, stop digging”. However, it seems as though Prime Minister Keir Starmer is more than happy to get an industrial digger and make that hole even bigger.
Despite nearly 100 MPs, the vast majority of the British public and even members of his own cabinet telling him to go – he remains, clinging on for dear life like a fungus (no offence, PM).
And while the country turns to “Streeting Watch” for the next 24 hours, it appears as if Keir Starmer is experiencing several key signs of “psychological denial” accoring to the Kübler-Ross model.
We’ve analysed his behaviour, and all four signs of denial are on show – and here’s what they are, and what his behaviour shows.
1. Absolute Rejection (The Shut-Down)
This is the immediate, visceral reaction to shocking news or trauma. The mind completely blocks out the information to protect itself from overwhelming emotional pain.
The mindset is that of “this isn’t happening. There must be a mistake,” and shows a person refusing to acknowledge the reality at all.
Reports claim that Keir Starmer totally shut down all talk of a leadership challenge at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting – even going as far as acting as if nothing was happening. That’s a prime example of “absolute rejection”.
2. Minimization (Downplaying the Impact)
As the reality becomes harder to completely ignore, the brain shifts tactics. You admit the event happened, but you severely downplay its severity or significance to avoid dealing with the full emotional weight.
The mindset for this is of “okay, it’s true, but it’s not a big deal. I’m fine,” which is being done for Keir Starmer by his loyalists, like the many who have appeared on news channels over the last few days to claim that “we need to get on with the job of governing” – despite the drama continuing.
3. Projection and Rationalization (Finding Excuses)
In this phase, the reality is acknowledged, but the responsibility or the blame is shifted elsewhere. The individual uses logic (often flawed) or blames outside forces to avoid facing the internal pain or consequences.
The mindset for this is that something “only happened because of X, Y, or Z. It’s not my fault/not a pattern”. This is showcased by Starmer blaming his inability to perform as Prime Minster on Russia, Ukraine, Donald Trump, Iran, the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, a lettuce, the weather, Arsenal Football Club . . . and probably Mr Blobby at this point.
4. Cracking and Awareness (The Breakthrough)
Denial is exhausting to maintain. Eventually, the weight of evidence and reality becomes too heavy, and the protective wall begins to crumble. This is the transition phase out of denial.
The mindset of this is something along the lines of “I can’t keep pretending this isn’t real” – and if the 16-minute meeting with Wes Streeting yesterday was anything to go by, it appears that Keir Starmer could be getting very, very close to this breaking point, as well as him seemingly telling Cabinet to “come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough” (or words to that effect).
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