Keir Starmer says he is ready to make enemies in BBC Panorama grilling

Keir Starmer has said he is prepared to make enemies to achieve his key promise to grow the sluggish economy.

Just days after official figures showed the economy recorded no growth in April, the Labour leader insisted he was ready to make “tough” choices. He also promised there would be no return to austerity if he wins the keys to No10 in just under three weeks during a 30-minute BBC Panorama interrogation.

Presenter Nick Robinson asked Mr Starmer whether he would stand firm against people objecting to plans for housing developments or electricity pylons being built near their homes in order to “get the economy growing”.

He added: “Are you prepared to make enemies to make the economy grow?” The Labour leader replied: “Yes, we’re going to have to be tough, we’re going to have to change the way things are done.”

Mr Starmer said one CEO at an energy company had told him it would take 13 years to get power out of a new wind turbine farm due to planning and national grid issues. He added: “We cannot go on like this”.

The Labour leader also stressed he would work with whoever wins the US Presidential election in November as he was told some voters want a “Love Actually moment” if ex-President Donald Trump is returned to the White House.

Mr Robinson said: “They want a Love Actually moment. Are you prepared to stand alongside an American President and publicly say, no Mr President.”

Mr Starmer replied: “Well, I’ll deal with each situation as it arises. We don’t simply do what any other country asks us to do. Every case has to be looked at on its merits. That is a very special relationship. It will always be a special relationship with the US, whoever is the President. Obviously, it will be up to the American people to decide who that is, and we and I, if we are elected into government, will deal with whoever is President of the United States.”