Keir Starmer will fight for his political life this morning as he delivers a speech to win over mutinous Labour MPs. The Prime Minister will lay out an agenda to address the 'big challenges' facing the UK after Labour's devastating local election results last week. The party lost more than 1,400 councillors and were ousted from power in Wales, triggering widespread anger within the Labour ranks.
Starmer's Agenda for Change
Sir Keir's speech at 10am this morning will aim for closer ties with the EU as he kicks off a crunch week for his premiership. The Prime Minister is expected to say: 'To meet the challenges that our country faces, incremental change won't cut it. On growth, defence, Europe, energy – we need a bigger response than we anticipated in 2024 because these are not ordinary times.'
'Strength through fairness. It's a core Labour argument. And you will see those values writ large in the King's Speech. And you will see hope, urgency and exactly whose side we are on.'
Push for EU Relations
Sir Keir will also make a push for closer ties with Brussels, weeks after senior Labour figures such as Sadiq Khan and Neil Kinnock called for Britain to rejoin the EU. However, it is expected that the PM will stick to his so-called 'red lines' not to rejoin the EU single market or customs union. Sir Keir will say: 'This Labour Government will be defined by rebuilding our relationship and by putting Britain at the heart of Europe. So that we are stronger on the economy, on trade, on defence, you name it. Because standing shoulder to shoulder with the countries that most share our interests, our values and our enemies – that is the right choice for Britain, that is the Labour choice.'
Leadership Threats Loom
Backbench Labour MP turned leadership threat Catherine West will decide whether to oust Starmer after watching his speech. She told Metro she would send an email to all her fellow MPs asking for their support if he did not show he was 'fighting for working people'. The Hornsey and Friern Barnet MP has made clear she wants a Cabinet member to come forward to challenge the Prime Minister. There is speculation that her 'stalking horse' bid could help Health Secretary Wes Streeting run for the top job. He has publicly supported the Prime Minister but there are reports he has told Sir Keir he is preparing his case to take over.
Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, seen as another leadership rival, issued a statement last night telling her boss to 'meet the moment and set out the change our country needs'. She failed to explicitly endorse the PM or call for him to resign, but did say Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham should return to Parliament. Burnham is viewed as a popular choice for the next Labour leader among many MPs but was blocked from trying to return as an MP by Labour's national executive committee in January.
