Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has delivered a blunt assessment of Labour's time in power, admitting the party "hasn't done government very well" in the two years since its 2024 general election landslide. Speaking on the Political Currency podcast, Cooper criticised predecessor Sir Keir Starmer's leadership style, saying his early "missions" for government lost focus over time and that his approach of wanting ministers to "bring me solutions, not problems" was poorly suited to politics. The comments are notable given Cooper served as home secretary and foreign secretary under Starmer before being moved to health by his successor, Andy Burnham, last month.

Cooper contrasted Starmer's approach unfavourably with that of new Prime Minister Burnham, praising his willingness to engage directly with problems rather than expecting pre-packaged solutions, and suggesting he was better suited to "a world of social media". She also recalled how Downing Street under Starmer had insisted he personally announce major policies, such as plans to cut legal migration, even when he had not been closely involved in developing them. Despite the criticism, Cooper credited the government with achievements including 3,000 additional neighbourhood police officers and falling NHS waiting lists.