In a powerful address on Tuesday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer vehemently condemned what he termed ‘the politics of grievance.’ His aim was clear: to bolster his declining approval ratings by cautioning against the embrace of intolerance, a message directly targeted at Reform U.K., the anti-immigration party that has seen a dramatic rise in popularity across the nation.
With crucial Scottish, Welsh, and new municipal elections just eight months away, Starmer’s annual speech to loyal Labour Party members underscored a critical choice facing British voters. He framed the upcoming decision between Labour and Reform as a ‘fork in the road’ that will ultimately shape the very fabric of the country’s democracy.
“We can choose decency. Or we can choose division. Renewal or decline,” he declared. “It is a test. A fight for the soul of our country, every bit as big as rebuilding Britain after the war.”
Starmer’s strong words highlight the significant political threat posed by Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform. Farage’s stance on immigration and economic policy often echoes that of former President Trump. While he once dismissed mass deportations as a ‘political impossibility’ in Britain, Farage has since reversed his position, proposing a plan to deport hundreds of thousands of individuals, including some who had previously secured a long-term right to reside in Britain.
Despite not being required to call a general election until 2029, current polls indicate that Reform—an emerging party with only five members of Parliament—would decisively defeat Labour if an election were held today.
During his address, Starmer presented this choice as a profound ‘test’ for voters. It’s a test that some of his closest allies privately fear he might struggle to pass.
Nigel Farage’s rise isn’t the only challenge to Starmer’s leadership. Just last week, rumors circulated widely about a potential leadership challenge from Andy Burnham, the charismatic mayor of Manchester and a prominent figure within the Labour Party. The three-day party gathering in Liverpool laid bare deep frustrations among Starmer’s supporters, questioning his ability to articulate a clear political direction and secure a second general election victory for the party.
Internal divisions also persist within Labour regarding the conflict in Gaza. Several Members of Parliament have criticized Starmer for not more swiftly recognizing a Palestinian state and for not adopting a firmer stance with the Israeli government to halt the violence in the beleaguered region.
Having returned to power last year after 14 years in opposition, members of Starmer’s Labour Party highlighted their achievements over the past 15 months. These include reductions in medical waiting lists, investments in education, new rights for renters and workers, and initial steps towards renewed cooperation with the European Union.
However, they also acknowledged the disappointment of voters who feel the government has not delivered the transformative change promised during the last election. Labour activists, both in formal speeches and informal conversations at the conference, pointed to the slow pace of progress, a struggling economy, and a series of missteps. These included botched attempts to tighten welfare claims and cut home heating subsidies.
These very points formed the core of Andy Burnham’s criticisms of Starmer, which he voiced pointedly in various interviews and remarks in the week leading up to the party conference.
Despite breaking ranks and facing backlash from some Labour lawmakers, Burnham downplayed his leadership ambitions in speeches delivered on the conference fringes. He emphasized the significant practical hurdles he would face in attempting to replace Starmer as party leader and Prime Minister. As a regional mayor, he would first need to resign and then successfully contest a parliamentary seat, with no guarantee of a suitable vacancy arising.
“I can’t launch a leadership campaign. I’m not in Parliament. So that is the bottom line,” he stated at a crowded bar event, where he affirmed his contentment with his current role.
Nevertheless, in an hour-long Q&A session, Burnham unveiled a more ambitious agenda than Starmer’s. He advocated for reforms to the country’s stringent government debt rules to allow for greater public investment and expressed hope that Britain would rejoin the European Union during his lifetime. (While Starmer has historically opposed Brexit, he has carefully avoided reigniting that contentious debate.)
Starmer’s allies quickly rallied to his defense against Burnham’s implied challenge. In a fiery speech on Monday, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, subtly criticized the mayor’s calls for increased spending without directly naming him.
“I do know that there are still those who peddle the idea that we could just abandon economic responsibility and cast off any constraints on spending,” she asserted. “They are wrong — dangerously so.”
Against a challenging economic backdrop, many analysts anticipate the government’s next major test in November, when Ms. Reeves is scheduled to present a budget widely expected to include tax increases.
Despite Labour’s challenging poll numbers, the mood wasn’t entirely disheartened. A combination of Burnham’s intervention, the escalating threat from Reform, and the shock from a recent far-right rally in London seemed to galvanize many within the party. Several government ministers delivered impassioned speeches on Sunday night at a packed bar event.
“We are the disinfectant that is going to clean up the pollution of the far right in our politics,” proclaimed Steve Reed, the housing secretary. He added that Labour must “show the people of this country that we are on their side, that we are making the difference that will transform their lives.”
Amidst the lively atmosphere, Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, struggled to be heard as she reminded party members that “divided parties don’t win elections and we won’t beat Reform if we are arguing among ourselves.”
She further urged them to be more proactive in their campaigning. “We have got to be out there telling the positive story of what this Labour government is delivering,” she emphasized. “If we don’t make that case, nobody else will.”