As Britain grapples with rising political tensions, Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to address Labour’s annual conference, framing the moment as a ‘defining choice’ between unity and division.
In a keynote expected to resonate beyond party lines, Starmer is set to liken the country’s current challenges to rebuilding Britain after the Second World War.
He will also hint at tough economic decisions ahead, including potential tax rises, insisting that the path to renewal will not be simple or painless.
Divisions Surface Within Labour Over Reform Party
The PM’s planned speech comes amid growing splits at the top of Labour over whether Nigel Farage’s Reform Party is pursuing racist policies.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan opted for caution, saying he would not use the “really loaded word” and avoiding labeling Farage or his followers as racist.
In contrast, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson expressed that Farage’s actions and statements “drift into racism,” making it difficult to escape that conclusion.
Labour Figures Intensify Criticism
Over the weekend, Starmer intensified his critique of Farage’s plans to alter residency rules, calling it a policy that “needs to be called out for what it is.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves backed this stance, describing the policy as racist and warning in her conference speech that it poses a serious threat to Britain’s way of life and the living standards of working people.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy echoed the criticism, calling the proposal racist and dismissing Farage’s approach as “pound shop patriotism.”
Internal Party Pushback
Not everyone in Labour agrees with Starmer’s language. ‘Blue Labour’ peer Lord Glasman called the accusations “pathetic” and “stupid.”
A source close to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood clarified that while she does not believe Farage is personally racist, she sees his policies as cynical and potentially harmful, exploiting the sentiments of those with racist leanings.
Meanwhile, Reform UK has hit back, accusing Starmer of smearing a significant portion of the population and suggesting the Labour leader’s aggressive rhetoric is a response to declining popularity.
Recent polling reportedly shows that both Labour members and the wider public are increasingly dissatisfied with his leadership.
Starmer Sets the Tone for a Make-or-Break Speech
Despite recent challenges, Starmer will use his keynote to insist that Labour has solutions to counter the Reform Party threat.
He plans to deliver a message of choice, urging supporters to choose decency over division, renewal over decline.
“We can all see our country faces a choice, a defining choice,” he is set to say, framing it as a “fight for the soul of our country” akin to post-war reconstruction.
The Path Ahead Is Tough but Promises Renewal
Starmer is expected to acknowledge the difficulty of the road ahead, emphasizing that meaningful change will require tough, sometimes uncomfortable decisions.
“At the end of this hard road, there will be a new country, a fairer country, a land of dignity and respect, with wealth creation in every single community,” he will tell delegates.
The speech is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for Starmer and the Labour Party, as they navigate internal divisions and external challenges ahead of the next election cycle.