Keir Starmer Urges Patience as Government Takes Steps to “Renew Britain”
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed working-class voters, urging Labour’s traditional supporters to consider his party’s approach over that of the Reform UK party. Starmer described Reform UK’s messaging as divisive and positioned his vision as one aimed at building “a Britain built for all.”
Speaking at Labour’s second annual conference since winning the general election last year, Starmer referenced challenges facing his government, including competition from Reform UK on the right and a left-wing faction associated with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. He called for patience with his administration’s efforts to “renew Britain” and emphasised the importance of unity in addressing the country’s future.
Starmer stated, “No matter how many people tell me it can’t be done, I believe Britain can come together,”
addressing what he described as a “defining choice” for the country.
He said, “We can all see our country faces a choice, a defining choice. Britain stands at a fork in the road. We can choose decency, or we can choose division. Renewal or decline,”
in remarks aimed at lawmakers concerned about Labour’s position relative to Reform UK in recent polls.
Acknowledging difficulties during his first year in office, Starmer committed to raising living standards and putting money in the pockets of voters. During his speech in Liverpool, he also highlighted themes of patriotism, distributing British flags to the audience for several standing ovations.
He said, “For me, patriotism is about love and pride, about serving an interest that is more than yourself, a common good,” and posed a question regarding Reform UK’s motives: “And the question I ask seriously of Nigel Farage and Reform is, do they love our country … or do they just want to stir the pot of division, because that’s worked in their interests.”
