Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain delivered a powerful address on Tuesday, condemning what he termed ‘the politics of grievance.’ He sought to boost his declining approval ratings by issuing a stern warning against rising intolerance, a message clearly directed at Reform UK, the anti-immigration party gaining significant traction across the nation.
With crucial Scottish, Welsh, and local municipal elections on the horizon in just eight months, Starmer used his annual speech to Labour Party supporters to highlight a pivotal choice. He described the upcoming electoral contest between Labour and Reform as a ‘fork in the road,’ asserting that the outcome would fundamentally shape the future of Britain’s democracy.
He passionately declared, ‘We face a stark choice: decency or division, renewal or decline.’ He framed this as a profound ‘test’—a ‘fight for the soul of our country,’ comparable in magnitude to the monumental task of rebuilding Britain after World War II.
Starmer’s remarks directly address the growing political challenge posed by Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK. Farage’s stance on immigration and economics notably mirrors that of former President Trump. After previously dismissing mass deportations as a ‘political impossibility,’ Farage recently unveiled a controversial plan to deport hundreds of thousands of individuals, including some who had been granted long-term residency in Britain.
While Starmer is not obligated to call a general election until 2029, recent polls indicate a significant shift in public opinion. Reform UK, currently a relatively small insurgent party with only five members of Parliament, is projected to overwhelmingly defeat Labour if elections were held in the immediate future.
Starmer presented this critical choice as a ‘test’ for the electorate—a test that some within his own party privately worry he might struggle to overcome.
However, Farage is not the sole obstacle to Starmer’s leadership. Just last week, rumors swirled about a possible leadership challenge from Andy Burnham, the highly charismatic Mayor of Manchester. The recent three-day Labour Party conference in Liverpool clearly exposed underlying frustrations among Starmer’s supporters regarding his perceived ability to articulate a clear political vision and secure another general election victory for the party.
Adding to Labour’s internal tensions are divisions over the Israel-Gaza conflict. Several Members of Parliament have openly criticized Starmer for his perceived slow response in formally recognizing a Palestinian state and for not adopting a tougher stance against the Israeli government to halt the violence in the besieged region.
After a 14-year hiatus, Labour returned to power last year. Party members proudly highlighted their achievements over the past 15 months, including reductions in medical waiting lists, significant investments in education, enhanced rights for renters and workers, and initial steps towards re-establishing cooperation with the European Union.
However, these successes are tempered by voter frustration. Many express disappointment over the government’s failure to deliver the widespread transformative changes promised during the last election. Discussions at the conference, both on stage and informally, revealed concerns among Labour activists about the slow pace of progress, a faltering economy, and various missteps, such as controversial attempts to tighten welfare claims and reduce home heating subsidies.
These specific criticisms formed the core of Andy Burnham’s public statements against Starmer, which were prominently featured in interviews and remarks in the week preceding the conference.
Despite breaking ranks and facing criticism from some Labour MPs, Burnham chose to downplay his leadership aspirations in speeches given at fringe events during the conference. He meticulously outlined the significant practical hurdles he would face in attempting to replace Starmer as party leader and Prime Minister. As an elected regional mayor, he would first need to resign and then successfully contest a parliamentary seat, a suitable vacancy for which is far from guaranteed.
Speaking at a crowded bar, he stated plainly, ‘I can’t launch a leadership campaign. I’m not in Parliament. That’s the reality.’ He also emphasized his deep satisfaction with his current role.
Nevertheless, during an hour-long Q&A session, Burnham presented a more ambitious agenda than Starmer’s. He advocated for relaxing the nation’s stringent government debt rules to enable greater public investment and expressed his hope that Britain would rejoin the European Union during his lifetime (a topic Starmer, despite his past opposition to Brexit, has cautiously avoided revisiting).
Starmer’s allies quickly rallied to his defense against Burnham’s implied challenge. In a forceful speech on Monday, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, subtly criticized the Mayor’s calls for increased public spending, though without directly naming him.
She warned, ‘I know there are some who advocate abandoning economic responsibility and shedding all spending constraints. They are misguided — dangerously so.’
Given the difficult economic climate, many analysts anticipate that the government’s next major challenge will be in November, when Ms. Reeves is expected to present a budget widely believed to include tax increases.
Despite Labour’s concerning poll numbers, the overall mood within the party was not entirely bleak. A confluence of factors—Burnham’s public interventions, the escalating threat from Reform UK, and widespread shock over a recent large far-right rally in London—seemed to galvanize many members. Several government ministers delivered passionate speeches at a packed bar event on Sunday evening.
Steve Reed, the housing secretary, proclaimed, ‘We are the disinfectant that will cleanse the pollution of the far right from our politics.’ He stressed that Labour must ‘demonstrate to the British people that we are truly on their side, actively making a difference that will transform their lives.’
Amidst the lively chatter, Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, urged party members: ‘Divided parties do not win elections, and we will not defeat Reform if we are consumed by internal arguments.’
She further implored them to be more active in their campaigning, stating, ‘We absolutely must be out there, enthusiastically sharing the positive story of what this Labour government is achieving. If we don’t make that case, no one else will.’