In a moment that sent ripples through the British political landscape, GB News host Chris Hope unleashed a scathing, unfiltered tirade against Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a live broadcast on December 15, 2025. The studio fell silent as Hope, known for his no-holds-barred style, accused the Labour government of “evasions, spun figures, and a troubling defence of Rachel Reeves’ budget.” The outburst, aired during The Briefing with Chris Hope, has ignited a firestorm on social media, with #StarmerDamning trending at over 1.2 million posts within hours. “You can’t rebuild trust while massaging the truth,” Hope warned, his voice steady but laced with indignation—a raw declaration that exposed the deepening fractures in Labour’s narrative and raised uncomfortable questions about leadership integrity. When the numbers don’t add up, as Hope argued, the fallout is inevitable.
The attack stemmed from Reeves’ Autumn Budget on October 30, 2025, which promised £40 billion in tax rises to fund public services but has been mired in controversy over “fiscal holes” and optimistic growth projections. Hope zeroed in on Labour’s defense of the budget, labeling it “a web of half-truths designed to paper over cracks.” He cited OBR forecasts showing a £22 billion shortfall in public finances, accusing Starmer of “evading reality” by blaming the previous Tory government while dodging accountability for current policies. “This is damning—and the country deserves answers,” Hope thundered, pointing to Reeves’ admission that national insurance hikes would cost employers £25 billion, potentially stifling wage growth and job creation. The host’s frustration peaked when he dissected Labour’s “spun figures” on NHS waiting lists, claiming the government’s 18-week target was “a mirage” amid 7.6 million backlogs.
The studio’s silence was palpable. Co-panelists, including Labour MP Jess Phillips and Tory backbencher Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, froze as Hope pivoted to Starmer’s personal integrity. “The PM talks of trust, but how can we trust a leader who defends a budget built on quicksand?” he asked, referencing leaked Treasury memos suggesting Reeves’ “black hole” narrative was exaggerated for political gain. Phillips attempted a rebuttal, defending the budget as “bold and necessary,” but Hope cut in: “Bold? It’s brazen. Massaging the truth erodes the foundation of governance.” Rees-Mogg nodded grimly, adding, “This is the emperor’s new clothes—Labour’s naked ambition exposed.”
Social media meltdown ensued. Clips of Hope’s monologue went viral, with users hailing him as “the voice of reason” or lambasting him as “anti-Labour bias.” One tweet read, “Chris Hope just eviscerated Starmer—finally, someone calls out the spin!” while another countered, “GB News propaganda at its finest—ignore the facts, fuel the fury.” Labour sources dismissed it as “right-wing theater,” but the damage stuck: Polls from YouGov showed Starmer’s approval dipping to 28%, with 52% of voters agreeing the budget’s “figures don’t add up.”
Hope’s words tap into a broader disillusionment. Starmer’s “change” mantra won Labour a landslide in July 2025, but five months in, economic woes—2.6% inflation, stagnant growth, and a £25 billion national insurance hike—have soured the honeymoon. Reeves’ defense, in a December 14 Commons debate, emphasized “fiscal responsibility,” but Hope’s attack amplified critics like the IFS, who labeled the budget “smoke and mirrors.” “When leaders evade, trust erodes,” Hope concluded, echoing public sentiment.
The incident underscores GB News’ role as Labour’s thorn. Founded in 2021, the channel’s confrontational style has drawn 2.5 million weekly viewers, often clashing with establishment narratives. For Starmer, it’s a wake-up call: Questions about leadership follow when spin overshadows substance. As winter bites and bills rise, the country demands answers—not evasions. Hope’s blistering broadside may be the spark that forces Labour to confront its own reflections.
