UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing early challenges at home—think policy disputes or public discontent—just as he’s trying to make his mark on the global stage at a major summit. The timing couldn’t be worse: domestic headaches are stealing the spotlight from his diplomatic efforts, raising questions about how firmly he’s in control of his agenda.

Editor’s Note: Starmer’s team probably hoped his first big international moment would showcase steady leadership, but instead, it’s turning into a test of whether he can juggle crises at home while projecting authority abroad. For voters and allies alike, it’s a early signal of whether his government can walk and chew gum—or if internal struggles will keep tripping him up.