2023 could be Keir Starmer's last year before Downing Street - 10 hurdles he must overcome

In his victory speech to the Labor Party leadership, Keir Starmer told party members they had a “mountain to climb” to win the next general election after the 2019 disaster.

As the third anniversary of its election approaches, the party appears to have turned the tide and many now believe the next election is the one Labor will lose after the turmoil of the past 12 months.

In 2022, Mr Starmer faced three prime ministers at the dispatch box after an extraordinary year of open warfare within the Conservative Party.

Boris Johnson, who was at the center of several scandals including Partygate, and Liz Truss, whose disastrous mini-budget caused financial turmoil and plummeting Tory polls, were both dropped from No. 10.

Far from enjoying a so-called 'honeymoon period' after entering Downing Street just two months ago, Rishi Sunak now faces a slumping economy, industry strikes public and a cost of living crisis.

Labour leader Keir Starmer will face an electoral test in the May 2023 local elections (

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Labour aides now believe the public is now looking for an alternative. "People recognize that this is a party that has changed now," a senior source said.

Mr. Starmer is expected to start detailing the Labor government plan by visiting target seats, but he has repeatedly urged his shadow cabinet not to be complacent as the election nears.

With many not expecting an election until 2024, the coming year could be Mr Starmer's last as Leader of the Opposition, he will face a battle to maintain Labour's recent momentum.

Here, The Mirror takes a look at the major hurdles and moments the party will face in 2023.

Economy and strikes

With a recession set to bite, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will present his spring budget in March with the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast on the state of the economy.

Mr. Starmer and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves have previously argued that the current situation will mean that a new Labor government will not be able to deliver "everything we want as quickly as possible".

Both will face pressure to explain exactly what this means over the coming year and what it means for government spending and taxes.