A 'Decade of National Renewal'
Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, is looking to rebrand the party as the champion of "service and country" as he sets his sights on ten years in power. In his address to the Labour conference, Starmer will ask voters to allow him to lead a "decade of national renewal" following the expected election next year. He promises to repair what is broken and rebuild what is ruined, positioning Labour as the party to build a new Britain.
Moving on from the Corbyn-era
Starmer will distinguish his leadership from the previous Jeremy Corbyn-era, stating that Labour is no longer focused on gesture politics or protest. He declares that those days are over and that Labour is now "a party of service… country first, party second." This demonstrates a shift in approach and sets the tone for his vision of a united and renewed Britain.
A Contrast in Approach
Starmer takes a marked contrast to his predecessor by addressing the recent scenes of terror in Israel, emphasizing his commitment to confronting global challenges. His speech also includes a broadside against the 13 years of Tory rule, promising a Britain that is strong, stable, and secure. He affirms that a Labour victory would provide the British people with the government they deserve, and that it would be a chance to turn away from Tory decline and embrace national renewal.
Looking to the Future
Despite currently holding a double-digit lead in the polls, Starmer's speech aims to answer the big question of why voters should choose Labour over the Tories. He draws hope from Labour's recent win in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election in Scotland and highlights a turning tide and the renewal of nations. He directly challenges Rishi Sunak's attempt to position himself as the candidate for change and promises a government that takes care of the big questions, giving working people the freedom to enjoy what they love.
A New Approach to Politics
In his speech, Starmer emphasizes the need for an entirely new approach to politics to create an economy that works for the whole country. He advocates for a mission government that moves away from short-term fixes and instead focuses on addressing tomorrow's challenges today. He also indicates his resistance to further tax rises, asserting that politics should not burden people's lives but rather shoulder the load for working people.
Ready for the Polls
Sir Keir Starmer assures supporters that his election machine will be ready for a potential snap poll in May. While he does not predict the outcome or timing of the general election, he states that his team is prepared for a May election. Shadow Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy echoes this readiness and expresses confidence in going for more than two terms in power.
According to a recent Deltapoll survey conducted after Rishi Sunak's conference speech, Labour's poll lead over the Tories has narrowed to 15 points. The survey indicates that Labour was down by a point, while the Tories were up by two points.
