Keir Starmer will promise sweeping changes to address the UK’s biggest challenges as he battles to save his job following Labour’s disastrous election results in England, Scotland and Wales.
Under-fire Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to pledge comprehensive reforms to tackle the “big challenges” facing the UK as he fights to keep his position. The Prime Minister will give a speech later today to pledge that his plan will embody “hope, urgency and exactly whose side we are on” following Labour’s calamitous election outcomes in England, Scotland and Wales which have left his role hanging in the balance.
The speech signifies the beginning of a pivotal week for his leadership. Labour MPs will be urged to back a leadership challenge if he fails to persuade them he can lift the party out of a slump that has seen votes and seats shift towards Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and Zack Polanski’s Green Party.
On Wednesday, the King’s Speech will outline his Government’s priorities for new legislation in Parliament. The Prime Minister will declare: “To meet the challenges that our country faces, incremental change won’t cut it.
“On growth, defence, Europe, energy – we need a bigger response than we anticipated in 2024 because these are not ordinary times. Strength through fairness. It’s a core Labour argument. And you will see those values writ large in the King’s Speech. And you will see hope, urgency and exactly whose side we are on.”
Sir Keir has admitted that the early stages of his premiership were overly pessimistic, with ministers detailing the dire state of the economy and public services they inherited without adequately emphasising plans to enhance people’s lives.
“People need hope,” he will say. “We will face up to the big challenges and we will make the big arguments.”
Sir Keir will emphasise his work to forge fresh links with Brussels, declaring: “This Labour Government will be defined by rebuilding our relationship and by putting Britain at the heart of Europe. So that we are stronger on the economy, on trade, on defence, you name it.
“Because standing shoulder to shoulder with the countries that most share our interests, our values and our enemies – that is the right choice for Britain, that is the Labour choice.”
Former minister Catherine West will determine whether to pursue the 81 nominations from MPs needed for a leadership bid if she remains “dissatisfied” following Sir Keir’s address.
She has made it plain that her campaign represents an effort to pressure the Cabinet into rallying behind a contender to challenge Sir Keir, rather than mounting a serious attempt to secure the keys to No 10 herself.
However, MPs from Labour’s left wing have cautioned against her strategy, contending it could lead to a Cabinet “stitch-up” instead of allowing party members to have their say on the next leader.
There are also concerns from the left that the manoeuvre might prompt an early leadership battle that could benefit Health Secretary Wes Streeting, given that Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham remains outside Parliament. Supporters of Mr Streeting have highlighted results in Redbridge, the local authority within his constituency where Labour survived despite challenges from pro-Gaza independents, to demonstrate that he can keep the Westminster seat he occupies with a wafer-thin majority of just 528.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.