Sir Keir Starmer to say there is 'light at the end of this tunnel' in first conference speech as Prime Minister
Sir Keir Starmer will say that there is “light at the end of this tunnel” after taking “tough long-term decisions now” in his first conference speech as Prime Minister.
The Labour leader will hope he can turn the tide on the pressure mounting on No10, after the revelations of freebies and briefings against his chief of staff Sue Gray.
In his speech in Liverpool this afternoon, the Prime Minister will maintain his focus is “country first, party second”, despite the rising anger over his acceptance of free clothes from a party donor, who was given a Downing Street pass.
He will say: “The politics of national renewal are collective. They involve a shared struggle. A project that says, to everyone, this will be tough in the short-term, but in the long-term - it’s the right thing to do for our country. And we all benefit from that.”
But he will admit: “I know this country is exhausted by and with politics.”
In less than three months in office, the new Prime Minister has had to deal with riots while his poll ratings have plummeted.
Despite protests outside the conference centre, Sir Keir will double down on cutting the Winter Fuel Payment from all but the poorest pensioners.
He will say: “The truth is that if we take tough long-term decisions now, if we stick to the driving purpose behind everything we do: higher economic growth - so living standards rise in every community; our NHS facing the future - waiting lists at your hospital down; safer streets in your community ... then that light at the end of this tunnel, that Britain that belongs to you, we get there much more quickly.”
The Prime Minister will claim that Labour has delivered more in 11 weeks than the Tories managed in 14 years.
He will say: “Planning – reformed. Doctors - back in theatre. New solar projects. New offshore wind projects. The onshore ban – lifted. Great British Energy – launched. One-word Ofsted judgements – ended.”
Sir Keir will also touch on his own story to No10: “As a country, we elevate the stories of the individuals who go to the Guildhall School of Music, the Prime Minister from a pebble-dashed semi, the working class few who do break through the class ceiling.
“It’s important to tell those stories. But it’s not everyone, is it? And we must remember everyone. Through the power unleashed by renewal, we can build a country that gives equal voice to every person.”