Social media ban for under-16s is yet another U-turn by Starmer as he tries to save his job

Social media ban for under-16s is yet another U-turn by Starmer as he tries to save his job Political editor David Maddox explains why the bold move by Sir Keir Starmer is a further sign of his weakness - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments The decision to ban social media for under-16s is a case study of everything that has gone wrong with Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership. It wasn’t long ago that the prime minister was saying he would “personally” be opposed to a social media ban similar to the measures introduced in Australia, arguing that “it’s more about how you control the content that children can see”. But today, after months of pressure from campaign groups and Labour MPs, he stood at the podium and announced what a great policy it is, and his government will bring in an even stricter ban than the Australians. In that time he had allowed the Tories and Kemi Badenoch to gain ownership of the social media ban policy, and for not the first time, Sir Keir looks like a man at the mercy of events rather than leading them. We can see why he was reluctant to go ahead with what may be an unworkable ban. As he noted today: “This is not something I do lightly. It is not cost free. I am not going to say that social media has done nothing good for children.” It suggested that in truth his heart was not in it. But the issue is a little like his decision to scrap two child benefit, something else he resisted against demands of his own backbenchers and eventually was forced into as his position weakened politically. Now this decision on a social media ban has been announced in the same wee that many expect Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to be elected in the Makerfield by-election, and launch a campaign to replace Sir Keir. Even if Mr Burnham somehow loses there is at least one other leadership bid from former health secretary Wes Streeting that Sir Keir will have to contend with. His current political position in fact is beyond weak with some even pronouncing his government effectively dead, again awaiting events to decide what happens next. Added to that the debacle over defence spending which saw him lose not only his defence secretary John Healey but also his armed forces minister Al Carns last week is overshadowing his government. Former ministers like Mr Healey and Mr Streeting, who have quit the government in frustration, talk in detail about the prime minister’s inability to make or stick to a decision. The Defence Investment Plan was stuck on his desk for months, the social media ban for under-16s likewise. The one silver lining here is that the social media ban may gain him some points with a public spat with US president Donald Trump, who will see it as an attack on US tech giants. But while the optics might be good within Labour more tariffs from the US would be a disaster. In the end though this ban may end up being more about Sir Keir’s legacy rather than something that could save him. It would be ironic if a social media ban for under-16s and scrapping two child benefit both become the big legacy items of the Starmer government - given that Sir Keir himself wanted to do neither of them until his hand was forced. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments