STORY
Sir Keir Starmer has said he will not “walk away” from what he called a battle for the “soul of the nation”, as he attempted to reassert his authority after Labour’s poor performance in last week’s local elections. In a major speech in London, the Prime Minister accepted that the Government had to move faster and prove its critics wrong, but rejected suggestions that he should stand aside.
The speech came amid growing pressure inside Labour following the party’s losses to Reform UK, the Greens and other opponents. Starmer warned that Britain could go down a “very dark path” if mainstream politics failed to respond to public anger, and argued that Labour had to offer a stronger alternative rather than imitate Nigel Farage’s party.
Starmer said his Government would focus on practical measures to improve living standards, rebuild public services and restore trust in politics. He also pointed to closer cooperation with the European Union, including a proposed youth mobility scheme, while insisting that the UK would not rejoin the EU. The Prime Minister framed the approach as part of a wider effort to give voters a sense of hope and economic security.
The speech also included a pledge to bring British Steel into public ownership if required, with new legislation expected in the King’s Speech on Wednesday. Ministers said the move would give the Government the option to take British Steel into national ownership as part of efforts to protect the industry and support domestic production.