Sir Keir Starmer has launched a blistering attack on Nigel Farage, accusing the Reform UK leader of not believing in the country he seeks to govern.
In a keynote speech to Labour’s conference in Liverpool, the prime minister said Farage “doesn’t like Britain, doesn’t believe in Britain” and instead “resorts to grievance.”
Starmer sought to draw a sharp contrast between what he called a “tolerant, decent, respectful Britain” and what he described as Reform’s desire to “stir the pot of division because that’s what works for their interests.” He asked: “When was the last time you heard Nigel Farage say anything positive about Britain’s future? He can’t.”
The Labour leader came into conference under pressure, with his personal ratings at a record low and Labour trailing Reform in some polls. His address was billed as a defining moment, in which he invoked his working-class background and pledged a programme of “national renewal.”
On policy, he declared he would scrap Tony Blair’s longstanding commitment to see 50 per cent of young people enter higher education. “I don’t think that’s right for our times,” he said, promising instead “a new ambition, that two-thirds of our children should go either to university or take on a gold standard apprenticeship.”
Starmer also vowed to hold the line on fiscal discipline, ruling out a wealth tax in November’s Budget and insisting Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ rules were “non-negotiable, with the global cost of borrowing as it now is.” He promised an NHS online hospital service in England and pledged to fight child poverty, but disappointed activists by refusing to axe the two-child benefit cap.
Farage, responding last night, said he was “shocked” by the speech and claimed Starmer was “unfit” to be prime minister. He accused the Labour leader of endangering the safety of Reform’s elected officials through his rhetoric.