Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) has defiantly declared he will "lead from the front" into the next general election amid mounting speculation about his premiership. The Prime Minister dismissed suggestions his leadership could be under threat during interviews with regional broadcasters ahead of Labour's annual conference in Liverpool.
Starmer launched a scathing attack on potential leadership challenger Andy Burnham, dismissing "the personal ambitions" of the Greater Manchester Mayor. He drew direct parallels between Burnham's economic proposals and Liz Truss's disastrous mini-budget, warning against abandoning fiscal rules for either tax cuts or increased spending.
Speaking to BBC North West, Starmer refused to "get drawn in to commenting on the personal ambitions of the mayor" but stressed economic stability was "the foundation stone of this Government". He referenced the Liz Truss experiment from three years ago, saying: "The same would be true if you abandoned fiscal rules in favour of spending. And I'm not prepared to ever have that inflicted on working people again."
Government record defended
The Prime Minister defended his government's achievements after one year in office, highlighting significant healthcare improvements. He told ITV Meridian: "In the first year of a Labour Government, we've delivered five million extra NHS appointments. We had an ambition for two million. We've done five million."
Starmer outlined further accomplishments including successful childcare rollout "from nine months to four years" and progress in education and housing. He said: "We've got four interest rate cuts in a row, three trade deals that we've struck which other governments couldn't do."
When asked about guaranteeing his leadership into the next election, Starmer was emphatic: "Yes. I led from the front into the last election, I'll lead from the front into the next election." He described his political project as a "10-year" endeavour of "patriotic national renewal" and said he was "very proud" of what ministers had achieved.
Conservative Party branded 'basically dead'
Starmer intensified his political attacks, telling ITV Anglia: "I think the Conservative Party is basically dead." He positioned the choice as between "patriotic national renewal" under Labour and "the politics of grievance, of toxic divide, which is what Reform are all about".
The Prime Minister also branded Reform UK "cowards" after reports that Reform's Nottinghamshire County Council leader banned councillors from speaking to journalists. He told BBC East Midlands: "Let me take that opportunity and call it out. It's cowardly. It's the complete opposite of free speech."
Starmer clarified that Reform voters were "reasonable, tolerant, decent people" but criticised Nigel Farage personally for promoting divisive politics. He said there was a choice between his government's approach and "the politics of grievance, of toxic divide, which is what Reform are all about".
Conference amid mounting pressure
The Prime Minister heads into the Labour conference following challenging weeks that saw speculation about his political future. This came after sustained polling lags behind Reform and reported departures from government including Angela Rayner and Lord Peter Mandelson.
Burnham had said MPs privately urged him to mount a challenge to Starmer and accused Downing Street of creating a "climate of fear". The Greater Manchester Mayor has made recent policy proposals including a 50p top rate of income tax, widely seen as positioning for a future leadership bid.
Former Labour donor Sacha Lord told Times Radio that Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves had lost his support, saying: "I think somebody really needs to take leadership." Senior party figures have urged Burnham to tone down his leadership ambitions ahead of the conference.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
