Starmer Vows To Put UK At Heart Of Europe

Keir Starmer will vow to put Britain “at the heart of Europe” in a last-ditch attempt to convince Labour MPs not to dump him as prime minister.

The PM will deliver a make-or-break speech in London amid mounting speculation that he will face a leadership challenge within days.

It comes just days after Labour lost 1,500 councillors in England and also suffered humiliating defeats in the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd elections.

Former minister Catherine West said on Sunday that she would wait until after Starmer has delivered his speech before deciding whether to trigger a leadership contest.

Setting out how he plans to turn around the fortunes of his party and the government, Starmer will say that “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,” the prime minister will say.

“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.”

The PM will say “people need hope” and that only Labour can deliver the solutions to the problems the country faces.

Starmer will say Nigel Farage and the Conservatives are “defined by breaking our relationship with Europe.”

He will add: “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.”

However, it is understood he will insist Labour will not break its “red lines” of ruling out a return to free movement, and membership of the European Union’s customs union and single market.

It remains to be seen whether the speech will be enough to prevent Labour MPs demanding he set out a timetable to leave No.10.

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