<p>This article provides a critical appraisal of the Starmer government’s first two years in power and an overview of its policy agenda and political decision-making during this period. Our analysis is underpinned by the influential statecraft framework first set out by Jim Bulpitt. We make the following arguments. First, despite entering office with a landslide electoral victory, the new Labour government was ill-prepared for office, contributing to the absence of a clear political vision and effectively narrated policy agenda. Second, the absence of a clearly understood vision for the UK’s political economy has paved the way for ad hoc decision-making that has repeatedly undermined the Starmer government’s credibility.</p>