'The PM needs to show he is firmly in control - no more drift, no more distractions'

'The PM needs to show he is firmly in control - no more drift, no more distractions''Keir Starmer's strength is his seriousness - he understands change is about determined action and the country needs that kind of leadership now more than ever'CommentsOpinionopinionVoice of the Mirror06:00, 21 Apr 2026View ImageVoice of the Mirror has its say...Keir needs steely sideSir Keir Starmer has had to own a serious mistake over the Mandelson vetting row and rightly so.‌When a decision of this scale goes wrong, responsibility needs to be taken. But the real outrage lies elsewhere. If officials made a “deliberate decision” to withhold crucial security information, that is not a slip-up; it is a staggering failure.‌Mr Starmer must now draw a firm line. No more drift, no more distractions. He needs to show he is firmly in control, that his government is disciplined and determined to put this behind it.‌Because the task ahead is huge. Britain needs rebuilding, and working people need a government on their side. The cost of living is biting hard, wages have lagged behind, and public services have been pushed to the brink.Mr Starmer’s strength is his seriousness. He understands that change is not about soundbites, but about steady, determined action - fixing what is broken and restoring fairness. The country needs that kind of leadership now more than ever.‌End knife hellBritain is letting its children down, and the evidence is stark.The average age of those killed in knife attacks is now just 14. Fourteen. That should be a wake-up call to us all. These deaths are not random.They are rooted in poverty, inequality and missed chances to intervene. Young people in the poorest communities are bearing the heaviest burden.Article continues belowIt is a damning indictment of a system that has failed them. For years, bereaved families have warned of the consequences of inaction. Still, the same patterns repeat: warning signs overlooked, risks underestimated, lives...