Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) pleaded with his party to give him space to lead in the "fight of our lives" against Nigel Farage's Reform UK. The Prime Minister acknowledged public frustration with the time taken to deliver promised change following Labour's landslide election victory last year.
Speaking on BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg as Labour's conference began in Liverpool, Starmer insisted he can turn the situation around. He called on Labour to end the "introspection" and "navel-gazing" amid mounting speculation about his leadership position.
Challenge from Reform UK
Starmer emphasised the existential threat posed by Reform UK to Labour's future. "We have got the fight of our lives ahead of us, because we've got to take on Reform, we've got to beat them," he said.
The scale of the challenge was underlined by a More in Common poll of nearly 20,000 people suggesting Farage could enter Downing Street with a 96-seat majority. The modelling indicated Labour could be reduced to just 90 seats, clinging on predominantly in urban centres and university towns.
Leadership pressure mounts
The slump in both Labour's poll ratings and Starmer's personal approval has fuelled leadership speculation. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham suggested he has been privately urged by MPs to challenge the Prime Minister.
Starmer defended his record, highlighting achievements including increased NHS appointments and expanded childcare provision. "We inherited a complete mess, a broken economy, a broken public services," he said, adding that change "would take time" but acknowledging people's frustration.
Policy positions defended
The Prime Minister maintained that "the manifesto stands" when asked to rule out VAT increases ahead of Rachel Reeves' Budget on 26th November. He described Reform UK's immigration policy, including scrapping indefinite leave to remain, as "racist" and "immoral".
Starmer also defended plans for digital IDs, claiming they would help authorities "know exactly who is working in our economy" and assist with rule enforcement. He promised to end taxpayer-funded taxis for asylum seekers "as soon as we can".
Union pressure intensifies
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham warned that Labour's biggest union backer was finding it "harder and harder to justify" its affiliation with the party. She described the upcoming Budget as "an absolutely critical point" for determining whether the union's direction would change.
Graham told Sky News that without money to fund change, "nothing is going to change", urging the government to alter its fiscal rules. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claimed Starmer had left the door open to VAT increases, demanding he "rule out hiking VAT immediately".
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
