Keir Starmer says rioters exploited ‘cracks in society’ left by the Tories
Keir Starmer will tell voters he wont shy away from unpopular decisions in order to fix the “rot” at the heart of Britain.
On Tuesday the Prime Minister will deliver his first keynote speech from Downing Street since taking office – looking ahead to Parliament returning next week – and warning change will take time.
He’ll say rioters this summer exploited cracks in the system left by 14 years of Tory rule.
“Those people throwing rocks, torching cars, making threats – they didn’t just know the system was broken. They were betting on it. They were gaming it,” he’ll say.
“They saw the cracks in our society after 14 years of populism and failure – and they exploited them. That’s what we have inherited.”
He’ll say: “When there is rot deep in the heart of a structure, you can’t just cover it up. You can’t tinker with it or rely on quick fixes. You have to overhaul the entire thing. Tackle it at the root. Even if it’s harder work and takes more time.
“Because otherwise what happens? The rot returns. In all the same places. And it spreads. Worse than before. You know that – and I know that. That’s why this project has always been about fixing the foundations of this country.”
He’ll add: “I won’t shy away from making unpopular decisions now if it’s the right thing for the country in the long term. That’s what a government of service means.”
The PM go on to say the £22 billion black hole in the economy left by Rishi Sunak’s Tories isn’t just lines on a graph, it’s about working people’s lives.
“This shouldn’t be a country where the Prime Minister can’t guarantee prison spaces. But it also shouldn’t be a country where people are paying thousands more on their mortgage or waiting months for hospital appointments they desperately need,” he’ll say.
“The Tories are still not being honest about it. They haven’t recognised what they’ve cost the country and they haven’t apologised for what they’ve cost you. But I promise this – you will be at the heart of our government, in the forefront of our minds and at the centre of everything we do. That this government is for you, back in your service.”
