I've changed Labour permanently, Keir Starmer says

TO BEING A BUNCH OF RED TORIES

By Chas Geiger,

Political reporter
BBC




Sir Keir Starmer has promised voters he will "fight for you" and put "country first, party second".


In his first major speech since the general election was called, the Labour leader said he could be trusted because he had "changed this party permanently".


And he urged people to trust him to deliver economic stability and protect national security.


Rishi Sunak said the country needed "bold action, not waffle".



"Not a single plan f\or the future," the prime minister added in a post responding to the speech on X.

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Despite Labour's commanding lead in the opinion polls, Sir Keir acknowledged that many voters were not yet fully persuaded about his party.


"I know there are countless people who haven't decided how they'll vote in this election. They're fed up with the failure, chaos and division of the Tories, but they still have questions about us: has Labour changed enough?

"Do I trust them with my money, our borders, our security? My answer is yes, you can, because I have changed this party permanently," he said.


Later, Sir Keir told the BBC he did consider himself a "socialist".

He has been accused by many on the left of his party abandoning the socialist vision of his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, but Sir Keir said: "I would describe myself as a socialist. I describe myself as a progressive. I'd describe myself as somebody who always puts the country first and party second."

Sir Keir also told the BBC that Labour's plans did not mean taxes needed to rise, including the main rate of VAT.

He said: "Working people have been overburdened with tax increases in recent years.

"We have gone through all of our plans, and none of them require us to raise taxes."

This follows Sunday's announcement by Labour's shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves that there would be no income tax or National Insurance increases under a Labour government.

And pressed on whether there was a lack of enthusiasm for Labour, Sir Keir pointed to the party's performance in recent local and by-elections, saying: "It is quite obvious to me that people who have voted for other parties are now looking to the Labour Party."

Political background


In a personal speech on Monday, Sir Keir spoke at length of his own background, growing up in the small town of Oxted, Surrey, during "hard times" in the 1970s.


"My dad was a tool maker, he worked in a factory. My mum was a nurse... She never complained, but her illness did shape our lives.


"I know what out of control inflation feels like, how the rising cost-of-living can make you scared of the postman coming down the path: 'will he bring another bill we can't afford?'"



Elections were "about more than individual changes and policies, but about values, temperament, character and a bigger question: whose side are you on?" he added.


"Who do you hold in your mind's eye when you are making decisions?


"Everything I have fought for has been shaped by my life, every change I have made to this party has been about a cause, the answer to that question, the only answer: the working people of this country delivering on their aspirations, earning their respect, serving their interests."


Sir Keir, who became leader in April 2020, was frustrated during the pandemic that he never had a proper opportunity to introduce himself to voters.


With the election campaign now under way, he feels it necessary to tell voters something of the person who wants to be prime minister.



The Labour leader said his experiences had "shaped the plan I have drawn up for Britain and the importance, above all, of economic stability".
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Sir Keir referred to the Post Office Horizon and infected blood scandals, saying: "For a long time now, working people have believed opportunity in Britain is stacked against them.


"But now we are at a dangerous new point, close to crossing a Rubicon of trust, not just in politics but in many of the institutions that are meant to serve and protect the British people."


Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden dismissed the Labour leader's speech as "wearisome and rambling" with "no policy, no substance, and no plan".



"Once again Keir Starmer stood up to tell the country absolutely nothing... The question remains: will Starmer ever find the courage and conviction to tell us what he would do, or does he simply not know?


"The choice is clear: stick with the plan that is working and take bold action for a safer, more secure future with Rishi Sunak or go back to square one with Labour."


The Conservatives also claimed on Sunday the Labour leader does not have the "stamina" to campaign, saying he had been "resting at home".


On Monday, Sir Keir dismissed that as "desperate", saying: "I've wasted nine years of my life in opposition. I've worked four-and-a-half years to change this Labour Party, and now I've got the chance to take that to the country.


"So we're doing that not only with energy, but with a smile, with positivity across all of our candidates as we go into this election."

UPDATED

More than 20 councillors have resigned from the Labour Party over Keir Starmer’s position on Gaza

Chris Jarvis 

22 October 2023 


The Labour Party is facing a full scale rebellion over its position on Israel’s siege and bombardment of Gaza, with more than a dozen of its councillors having resigned their party membership.

At the time of publishing, more than 20 councillors who were elected under the Labour banner have resigned from the party and become independents. The councillors have resigned at various points over the last week, with Keir Starmer’s comments about Israel’s siege on Gaza on LBC being an initial trigger.

Asked by Nick Ferrari whether he thought that the siege on Gaza – including the cutting off of power and water – was appropriate, Starmer said that Israel “does have that right”. In the interview he also said that Israel must act within international law, but failed to acknowledge that the siege on Gaza is illegal by virtue of constituting collective punishment.

Starmer has since claimed that he did not support the siege on Gaza and was merely saying that Israel has a right to defend itself.

Anger has also been caused by the Labour Party previously strongly encouraging its elected representatives not to attend demonstrations in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Councils to have seen resignations include Cambridge, Gloucester, Haringey, Islington, Kensington, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Nottingham and Stroud.

Eight councillors in Oxford have left Labour, leaving the party without a majority for the first time in over a decade. Six of these resignations came at a meeting of Oxford and District and Labour Party on October 20.

In a speech announcing her resignation at the meeting, Oxford City Councillor Imogen Thomas said: “The Labour leadership, locally and nationally, has sought to actively silence members and representatives who have acted to highlight violations of international law, banning motions, as we’ve seen, from branches, strongly advising councillors against attending demonstrations.”


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Image credit: Rwendland – Creative Commons

Sir Keir Starmer seeks to clarify Gaza remarks following backlash from Labour councillors

The Labour leader said Israel did not have the right to withhold humanitarian aid after previous comments he made in an interview prompted resignations from within the party.

Alexandra Rogers

Sky News

Sir Keir Starmer has sought to clarify remarks he made about Israel's decision to limit supplies to Gaza after they sparked concern and even resignations among Labour councillors.

The Labour leader reiterated today that Israel had a "right to self-defence", but said that did not mean it should withhold humanitarian aid to Gaza, which is home to 2.2 million civilians.

In the immediate days after Hamas launched its surprise attack on 7 October, Sir Keir gave an interview to LBC in which he appeared to suggest that Israel had a right to limit essential supplies, including water and electricity, to Gaza.

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In the widely shared clip, the Labour leader was asked what a "proportionate" response would look like, to which Sir Keir replied that responsibility "lies with Hamas" and that Israel "has the right to defend herself".

Presenter Nick Ferrari interjected: "A siege is appropriate? Cutting off power, cutting off water?"

The Labour leader replied: "I think that Israel does have that right. It is an ongoing situation."

He added: "Obviously everything should be done within international law, but I don't want to step away from the core principles that Israel has a right to defend herself and Hamas bears responsibility for the terrorist acts."

Sir Keir's comments sparked criticism among some Labour councillors, several of whom resigned over his remarks - including Amna Abdullatif, the first Arab Muslim woman elected to Manchester City Council, Russell Whiting in Colwick, Nottinghamshire, and Mona Ahmed, a Labour councillor in Kensington and Chelsea.

A source with knowledge of the situation told Sky News that councillors wanted an apology and retraction from Sir Keir and that the anger was "palpable".


This morning a number of pro-Palestine activists held a protest outside the Labour Party's headquarters in London over Sir Keir's previous comments.

But speaking today, the Labour leader denied he had suggested withholding supplies was appropriate, saying: "I know that LBC clip has been widely shared and caused real concern and distress in some Muslim communities so let me be clear about what I was saying and what I wasn't saying.

"I was saying that Israel has the right to self-defence, and when I said that right I meant it was that right to self-defence. I was not saying that Israel had the right to cut off water, food, fuel or medicines.

"On the contrary. For over a week now, I have been leading the charge calling for that humanitarian aid to come in.

"We all know there are innocent civilians in Gaza in a humanitarian crisis, a million children that aid urgently needs to get in.

"So I was saying yes, they have the right to self-defence - that right they do have - but not the right to withhold that humanitarian aid that needs to get in. It is now absolutely urgent."

In a bid to address the concern, Sir Keir wrote to Labour councillors earlier this week in which he expressed sympathy for the situation of civilians living inside Gaza.

In the letter, seen by Sky News, the Labour leader said Gaza was facing a "humanitarian emergency".

"This is an urgent situation and innocent Palestinians need to know the world is not simply watching, but acting, to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe," he added.

The discontent felt among some councillors is understood to be shared by some Labour MPs, a number of whom backed an early-day motion in parliament calling for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

Sky News has seen a letter written to MPs by Labour's chief whip, Sir Alan Campbell, in which he tells them to be cautious about going to vigils related to Palestinians.

Sir Alan said "colleagues should use their own judgement about whether or not to attend" community events and vigils.

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But he said MPs should be "especially careful not to put themselves in a position where they could be seen to share a platform with, or are close to, people that would undermine the Labour Party in any way".

In a sign of possible discontent with the positions adopted by the government and Labour, 59 MPs have now signed an early day motion calling for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

Both the Tories and Labour have dismissed calls for a ceasefire.

In response to a question from the SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, the prime minster said Israel has a "right to defend itself, to protect its people and to act against terrorism and ensure that the awful attack we've seen from Hamas cannot happen

 again".

Resigning Oxford City councillors say Starmer ‘complicit in war crimes’

“As Starmer has said, ‘Israel has that right’ to continue deadly attacks on Gazans. This is complicity in war crimes."

 by Joseph Connor
2023-10-21 


Six Labour councillors on Oxford City Council have resigned after remarks from Sir Keir Starmer on the Israel-Hamas conflict sparked concern.

Councillors Imogen Thomas, Edward Mundy, Paula Dunne, Duncan Hall, Dr Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini and Jabu Nala-Hartley said on Friday they were stepping down from the party in the wake of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer appearing to suggest that Israel has “the right” to withhold energy and water from Gaza.

The councillors said in a statement: “At a time when it’s been crucial to call for an immediate ceasefire and a de-escalation, and to insist Israel abides by international law, Keir Starmer and the shadow Foreign Secretary have instead endorsed collective punishment, blockade, siege and mass civilian casualties.

“As Starmer has said, ‘Israel has that right’ to continue deadly attacks on Gazans. This is complicity in war crimes.

“The Labour party leadership has sought to silence members and representatives who have sought to highlight these violations of international law, banning motions from branches, and strongly advising councillors against attending demonstrations.

“This is a direct threat to our democratic rights.”

The statement continued: “In light of both the abdication of the Labour Party’s historic responsibility to stand for international law and human rights, and the typically authoritarian and undemocratic manner in which this position was enforced, we no longer feel we can serve as Labour councillors.

“We have been proud to represent our communities and do not take the decision to resign from Labour lightly.


“In a choice between serving our parties or justice, we have chosen justice.”

Starmer’s comments were made in an interview with LBC in the wake of Hamas launching a murderous assault on Israeli civilians.

But Starmer argued on Friday that he had intended to say that Israel has the right to defend itself and retrieve the around 200 hostages being held – “within international law”

Sir Keir has met with councillors as he works to repair the damage caused by the remarks on the politically fraught subject (Joe Giddens/PA)

Speaking to broadcasters, the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he wanted to “clarify precisely what I was saying” during the “grave and urgent” situation for more than two million Palestinians.

“I know that LBC clip has been widely shared and caused real concern and distress in some Muslim communities, so let me be clear about what I was saying and what I wasn’t saying,” he said.

“I was saying that Israel has the right to self-defence, and when I said that right I meant it was that right to self-defence. I was not saying that Israel had the right to cut off water, food, fuel or medicines.

“On the contrary. For over a week now, I have been leading the charge calling for that humanitarian aid to come in.”

Starmer has met with councillors as he works to repair the damage caused by the remarks on the politically fraught subject.

The most recent resignations come after fellow Oxford City councillors Shaista Aziz and Amar Latif also said they would resign over the comments.

All eight councillors will continue to serve as independents.

Their resignations mean Labour is now down to 24 councillors on Oxford City Council, with 24 in opposition.

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Tags: keir starmer

UK

SIR Keir Starmer to warn businesses ‘days of low pay and cheap labour must end’

SAM BLEWETT, PA DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR

21 November 2022,

Sir Keir Starmer will warn bosses the days of “low pay and cheap labour” must end as he tells them to train up UK workers to end Britain’s “immigration dependency”.

The Labour leader will signal in a speech on Tuesday that he would be willing to accept increased skilled immigration on the path to his vision of ending the “low pay model”.

Addressing the Confederation of British Industry conference, he is to set out plans to “start investing more in training up workers who are already here”.

Sir Keir will vow to be “pragmatic” about the shortage of workers and not to ignore the need for skilled individuals to come into the country if he forms a Labour government.

But he will stress that any changes to a points-based migration system “will come with new conditions for business”.

“We will expect you to bring forward a clear plan for higher skills and more training, for better pay and conditions, for investment in new technology,” he is expected to tell business leaders gathered in Birmingham.

“But our common goal must be to help the British economy off its immigration dependency. To start investing more in training up workers who are already here.

“Migration is part of our national story – always has been, always will be. And the Labour Party will never diminish the contribution it makes to the economy, to public services, to your businesses and our communities.

“But let me tell you – the days when low pay and cheap labour are part of the British way on growth must end.”

Sir Keir will set out Labour’s plans for reform, which include:

– Ensuring all employers able to sponsor visas are meeting decent standards of pay and conditions

– Speed up visa delays to avoid labour shortages damaging the economy

– Introduce training and plans for improving pay and conditions for roles that require international recruitment

– Reform the migration advisory committee that reports to the Government so it better projects future trends.

He will warn that businesses cannot be “more comfortable hiring people to work in low paid, insecure, sometimes exploitative contracts” rather than investing in new technology to boost productivity.

Sir Keir’s speech comes as Rishi Sunak moved to deny plans ministers could look to realign Britain with EU laws.

Some Tories have been angered by suggestions the Government was weighing up a Swiss-style relationship with Brussels.

But the Prime Minister told the CBI conference on Monday that the UK “will not pursue any relationship with Europe that relies on alignment with EU laws”.

Sir Keir is understood to be sticking to his opposition of rejoining the EU’s single market.

SIR Keir Starmer will warn business chiefs to end 'cheap labour' as Rishi Sunak quashes calls to ease migration laws

22 November 2022,

Keir Starmer is set to tell business chiefs to end cheap labour as Rishi Sunak rebuffs CBI calls to ease stance on migration. Picture: LBC / Alamy

By Danielle DeWolfe

Keir Starmer will call for an end to Britain's economic dependence on immigration in today's speech to business leaders, hours after Rishi Sunak ruled out any trade relationship with the European Union that relied on Britain aligning with EU laws.

The Labour party's tougher stance on "low pay and cheap labour" will be set out during the opposition leader's speech to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

It comes in an attempt to quell rumours that Starmer's vision of a Labour government would take a looser stance on immigration, more closely aligned to those of former Labour leader Tony Blair.

It comes as Labour's plans come under increasing scrutiny after latest poll figures suggest they've opened up a 20-percentage-point lead over the Conservatives ahead of the next election.

It follows Mr Sunak's statement yesterday at the Confederation of Business Industry (CBI), following reports at the weekend that he was seeking a 'swiss-style' deal with the EU.

Rishi Sunak addressing the CBI. Picture: Alamy

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Starmer aims to convince voters he has reconciled with life outside the EU in a bid to win back red wall voters.

He will tell business leaders: “I want to be clear here: with my Labour government, any movement in our point-based migration system, whether via the skilled occupation route, or the shortage worker list, will come with new conditions for business.

“We will expect you to bring forward a clear plan for higher skills and more training, for better pay and conditions, for investment in new technology.

Asked yesterday about the UK's relationship with the EU, Mr Sunak said: "Let me be unequivocal about this: under my leadership, the United Kingdom will not pursue any relationship with Europe that relies on alignment with EU laws. 

"Now, I voted for Brexit. I believe in Brexit and I know that Brexit can deliver and is already delivering enormous benefits and opportunities for the country. 

"Migration being an immediate one where we have proper control of our borders."

Sir Keir Starmer will set out his vision of a Labour government to the CBI on Tuesday. Picture: Contributor: Colin Fisher / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Starmer is set to tell business leaders: “Our common goal must be to help the British economy off its immigration dependency. To start investing more in training up workers who are already here.”

“Migration is part of our national story – always has been, always will be. And the Labour Party will never diminish the contribution it makes to the economy, to public services, to your businesses and our communities.

Adding: “But let me tell you, the days when low pay and cheap labour are part of the British way on growth must end.”

It comes as Mr Sunak pointed to having "proper control of our borders" during yesterday's speech.

On the subject of migration, the Prime Minister added: "We weren't able to do that inside the European Union, at least now we are in control of it."

But his remarks came shortly after the boss of the CBI, Tony Danker, called on the government to be "practical" on the issue of immigration and use it to solve worker shortages in the UK.

Rishi Sunak at the CBI. Picture: Alamy

Brexit stopped many foreign workers being able to easily work in the UK and companies are struggling to recruit - especially in industries such as hospitality which has relied heavily on European staff in recent years.

Mr Danker told the conference the UK's labour shortages were "vast", adding: "It's time to be honest - we don't have the people we need, nor do we have the productivity."

In his speech, Mr Sunak said leaving the bloc means "we can open up our country to the world's fastest-growing markets".

He also said the UK could now introduce "regulatory regimes that are fit for the future that ensure that this country can be leaders in those industries that are going to create the jobs and the growth of the future".

A recent poll from YouGov showed the public now think Britain was wrong to leave the EU by 56% to 32%, with one in five who voted for Brexit believing their decision was wrong.

Fresh headache for Keir Starmer as pro-Gaza professor launches campaign against top Labour MP

Exclusive: The former head of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) is running against shadow veterans minister Steve McCabe in Birmingham Selly Oak, which has a significant Muslim population

Archie Mitchell

Sir Keir Starmer is facing a fresh headache over Gaza just days after pro-Palestinian candidates cost Labour tens of thousands of votes at the local elections.

The former head of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) is running against shadow veterans minister Steve McCabe in Birmingham Selly Oak, which has a significant Muslim population.

Kamel Hawwash, who is a Professor in the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Birmingham, is standing against the veteran MP, who is also the chairman of Labour Friends of Israel.

Professor Hawwash said Keir Starmer’s comments on LBC were ‘beyond the pale’

He is standing under the banner of Reliance, a group which will field a slew of candidates across the country at the next general election.

Professor Hawwash, who is a British Palestinian, quit the Labour Party in October after Sir Keir appeared to back Israel withholding food and water from civilians in the Gaza Strip.

At the time, he accused the Labour leader of having “blind support for Israel whatever it does” and “throwing Palestinians under a bus”.

Launching his campaign for the Birmingham seat, Professor Hawwash said: “Keir Starmer’s comments condoning Israel’s collective punishment of Gazans were beyond the pale. His unequivocal support for Netanyahu in the months since - which has seen more than 35,000 Gazans murdered - 70 per cent of which are women and children - has been horrifying to witness and he must be held accountable.

“Starmer continues to ignore the daily atrocities and puff his chest out as a proud Zionist.”

Steve McCabe has a 12,414 majority in Birmingham Selly Oak ( )

Professor Hawwash also attacked Mr McCabe, who has held the seat since 2010 and was previously the MP for Birmingham Hall Green.

He said: “Steve McCabe has repeatedly failed to stand up for the views of his constituents over the past two decades, from voting for the illegal war in Iraq, to abstaining on the welfare bill, to now speaking out unwaveringly for a pariah state committing daily atrocities. He has repeatedly refused to meet constituents to address their concerns on these issues.”

Polls show Mr McCabe is on course for a comfortable victory in the seat, where he currently has a 12,414 majority. But there are fears pro-Palestine voters could rebel at the election, costing Labour its majorities in seats around the UK.

Professor Hawwash’s campaign launch comes days after the local elections saw Labour make historic gains across the country, including winning the York and North Yorkshire mayoral election.

But the party also lost tens of thousands of votes to pro-Palestine candidates including independent Akhmed Yakoob in the West Midlands, who came close to denying Labour victory in the contest.

Labour lost its majority, held for 13 years, in Oldham, which had already been whittled down due to defections last month over the party’s approach on Gaza, and lost council seats to independents in Blackburn with Darwen and Bradford.

The party also failed to regain control of Oxford after a string of prominent defections over its messaging on the Middle East crisis, and in a similar blow, lost control of Oldham Council in Greater Manchester to independents.

Sir Keir said he was determined to win back the trust of those who had snubbed his party in the local elections as a result of his approach to the ongoing conflict.

He added: “I say directly to those who may have voted Labour in the past, but felt on this occasion they couldn’t, that across the West Midlands we are a proud and diverse community.

Sir Keir Starmer has come under pressure over his stance on the conflict in Gaza (PA Wire)

“I have heard you. I have listened. And I am determined to meet your concerns and to gain your respect and trust again in the future.”

A key issue for voters dissatisfied with Sir Keir’s handling of the conflict is his apparent initial support for Israel withholding humanitarian aid from Gaza.

Asked on LBC on October 11 if cutting off power and water was an appropriate response, Sir Keir replied: "I think that Israel does have that right. It is an ongoing situation.

"Obviously everything should be done within international law, but I don’t want to step away from the core principles that Israel has a right to defend herself and Hamas bears responsibility for the terrorist acts."

But he later rowed back the remarks amid concerns within the party that it has angered voters, particularly those in Muslim communities.

Despite his attempts to clarify the remarks, the clip of Sir Keir on LBC is still widely shared by those attacking the party’s approach to the Middle East.

Reliance is planning to field several more candidates in vulnerable areas for the Labour Party in the general election, expected this autumn.

It is in the application process to become a political party and is expected to have completed it by the time voters go to the polls.

A campaign group called The Muslim Vote is also piling pressure on Labour over the issue and has issued a list of 18 demands to Sir Keir to win back support lost over the war in Gaza.

The group, which aims to organise voters against MPs who did not back a ceasefire in the conflict, wants Sir Keir to apologise for “greenlighting a genocide” and not supporting an SNP-led ceasefire vote last November.

Other demands include a promise to sanction companies operating in occupied Palestinian territories, place a travel ban on Israeli politicians who have “prosecuted this war” and to ensure insurance quotes are not higher for people named Muhammad.

 

World leaders congratulate ‘friend’ Starmer on election victory

by Press Association

July 5 2024, 6

The Labour leader secured victory in the General Election in the early hours of Friday (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Security, migration and the war in Gaza were some of the issues raised as world leaders congratulated their “friend” Sir Keir Starmer on his General Election victory.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was among the first to share a message as he said he hopes to build a “progressive, fair future” with the Labour leader – who he described as “my friend”.

“Congratulations, (Sir Keir), on a historic U.K. election victory,” Mr Trudeau posted to X.

“Lots of work ahead to build a more progressive, fair future for people on both sides of the Atlantic. Let’s get to it, my friend.”

A key issue Sir Keir will face in the early days of his premiership will be the war in Gaza, and Israeli president Isaac Herzog said he looked forward to working together to bringing home hostages taken by Hamas.

“I send my warmest congratulations to (Sir Keir),” Mr Herzog posted to X.

“As he prepares to enter Downing Street as Prime Minister, I look forward to working together with him and his new government to bring our hostages home, to build a better future for the region, and to deepen the close friendship between Israel and the United Kingdom.”

Mr Herzog also expressed his “deepest appreciation and gratitude” to outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak “for his leadership and for standing with the Israeli people especially during this most difficult period”.

Eight years since the Brexit vote, European Council president Charles Michel declared Sir Keir’s election would mark a “new cycle” for the UK as he looked forward to working together on “common challenges”.

“Congratulations @Keir_Starmer on a historic election victory in the UK,” Mr Michel posted to X.

“(The European Union and UK) are crucial partners, cooperating in all areas of mutual interest for our citizens.

“I look forward to working with you and your government in this new cycle for the UK.

“See you soon in the European Political Community meeting on 18 July in the UK where we will discuss common challenges, including stability, security, energy and migration.”

Sir Keir will also be scrutinised over his approach to Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, and Kaja Kallas, the prime minister of Russian neighbour Estonia, shared a message highlighting “common security”.

“Congratulations on your historic election victory, (Sir Keir),” Ms Kallas posted to X.

“Estonia and the UK are the strongest of allies and the closest of friends. The UK’s commitment to our common security is valued by every Estonian.

“I’m sure our excellent cooperation will only continue to thrive.”

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said he is looking forward to working constructively with Sir Keir, describing him as his “friend”.

“Congratulations to my friend and new UK Prime Minister (Sir Keir) on his resounding election victory – I look forward to working constructively with the incoming (Labour) Government,” he posted to X.

RED TORY
Starmer writes off post-Blair Labour as he pitches to Tory voters



Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer gives a keynote speech marking the four-year anniversary of the 2019 election, at Silverstone Technology Park, near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. Picture date: Tuesday December 12, 2023.

SIR KEIR STARMER has been condemned for insulting a generation of Labour activists as he wrote off the party’s post-Blair history today.

Making a speech to mark the fourth anniversary of the 2019 general election defeat, Sir Keir claimed Labour had lost its way even before the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, which he routinely denounces.

“Working people up and down the country looked at how we’d lost our way, not just under Jeremy Corbyn, but for a while, and they said ‘no’,” he said.

He claimed that Labour under his predecessors had “reneged on our old partnership, the Labour bargain that we serve working people as they drive the country forward.”

Left campaign group Momentum responded that the Labour leader’s speech was “an insult to Labour members who gave it all to change the country for the better.”

It added that Sir Keir was peddling a “disingenuous analysis which equates conformity with service and Labour values with indulgence.”

Sir Keir’s “wasted years” analysis not only overlooked the 2017 general election, which saw Labour’s highest vote this century but may as well never have happened for the party’s right wing, it also put the spotlight on the preceding years of Ed Miliband’s leadership.

Mr Miliband led Labour to heavy defeat in 2015 and is also despised by Labour’s Blairites, yet he continues to serve in Sir Keir’s shadow cabinet, holding down the climate change portfolio.

Sir Keir claimed today that no slight was intended by his remarks: “Ed Miliband’s a very good member of my shadow cabinet on a very important brief.

“But as a party, we drifted too far from the core function of serving working people.”

His speech confirmed the conservative turn he has imposed on the “changed” Labour Party.

He claimed that it had “broken new ground in our relationship with business” and “gets the value of private enterprise.”

Sir Keir reiterated his support for strict public spending controls and said that “economic stability is the foundation for everything.”

He also attacked the Tories for permitting high immigration after Brexit, which he acknowledged was “a vote for change.”

Sir Keir pledged that there would be a “total crackdown on cronyism” under Labour, with “no more VIP fast lanes, no more kickbacks for colleagues, no more revolving doors between government and the companies they regulate.”

Starmer reiterates Corbyn’s days as Labour MP are over after long-standing row over Hamas

RED TORY SIR KEIR PURGES CORBYN

Labour leader ‘shocked’ by left-winger’s Piers Morgan interview – as Corbyn belatedly calls Hamas terrorists but says Israel behind ‘acts of terror too’

Adam Forrest
Political Correspondent

Ker Starmer said Jeremy Corbyn’s “days as a Labour MP are over” as he condemned the former leader’s repeated refusal to call Hamas a terrorist organisation in an interview.

The Labour leader said his predecessor – stripped of the party whip in 2020 – “won’t stand as a Labour MP at the next election or any election”.

It came as hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside Sir Keir’s office in north London on Saturday demanding that he back a ceasefire and chanting: “Keir Starmer’s a wasteman”.

Mr Corbyn had been repeatedly asked on Talk TV’s Piers Morgan Uncensored programme this week if he thought Hamas was a terror group. But the independent Islington North MP, an outspoken critic of Israel, continually avoided the question.

Mr Corbyn has now described Hamas as “a terrorist group” in a new article for Tribune – but also accused the Israeli army of being guilty of “acts of terror too”.

Sir Keir – who served in Mr Corbyn’s shadow cabinet – said he was “taken aback and shocked” by the left-wing stalwart’s refusal to describe Hamas as a terror outfit in the TalkTV interview.

“It reaffirmed in me why it is so important to me and to this changed Labour Party that Jeremy Corbyn does not sit as a Labour MP and will not be a candidate at the next election for the Labour Party,” he told the News Agent podcast. “That is how far we have changed as the Labour Party.”

Asked whether Mr Corbyn’s interview with Piers Morgan would preclude him from standing for Labour again, Sir Keir: “He won’t stand as a Labour MP at the next election or any election. His days as a Labour MP are over. We have a changed party.”

Keir Starmer said Jeremy Corbyn would not return to the party

(PA Archive)

In an article for the left-wing Tribune magazine, Mr Corbyn wrote that “I deplore the targeting of all civilians”, including Hamas’s killing of around 1,200 people in Israel – but went on to accuse the Israeli army of “acts of terror”.

“If we understand terrorism to describe the indiscriminate killing of civilians, in breach of international law, then of course Hamas is a terrorist group,” the former Labour leader wrote.

He added: “The targeting of hospitals, refugee camps and so-called safe zones by the Israeli army are acts of terror too; and the killing of more than 11,000 people, half of whom are children, cannot possibly be understood as acts of self-defence.”

Mr Corbyn had the Labour whip in parliament removed in October 2020 over his response to the equalities watchdog report on antisemitism in the party during his tenure as leader. He sits as an independent MP but remains a Labour member.

Sir Keir faced a bruising week on the issue of the Israel-Hamas war, suffering a major rebellion in the Commons against the party’s position of refusing to back a ceasefire.

Pro-Palestine crowds blocked the road outside his Camden office on Saturday and chanted: “Keir Starmer’s a wasteman” and “What do we want? A ceasefire. When do we want it? Now.”

People demonstrate outside Keir Starmer’s constituency office on Saturday

(PA)

The opposition leader said he was “not daunted” by the prospect of entering No 10 if Labour wins next year’s general election – but revealed that he has worried about his family’s safety.

He said: “I’ve got two children: I’ve got a 15-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl. And my biggest concern – about the only concern I have going forward – is asking myself over and over again, particularly at the moment, how do I protect them as we go into this?”

The Labour leader – who has backed Rishi Sunak’s call for a “humanitarian pause” – had put his MPs on a three-line whip not to vote for an SNP motion calling for an immediate ceasefire.

But 56 of his MPs defied the order, 10 shadow ministers and parliamentary aides among them. The frontbenchers, including Jess Phillips, quit or were sacked as a result.

Sir Keir insisted that there is “no unconditional support for Israel” as it fights back against Hamas, and urged that civilians and hospitals “must be protected” and international law upheld.

Labour rebels could still join Sir Keir’s top team after the election, the shadow defence secretary John Healey said.

Asked whether their stance would rule them out of a ministerial post in a Labour government, Mr Healey said: “That’s for well down the track,” before insisting there was a “deeper unity” in the Labour Party.

Other former shadow ministers now on the back benches include Yasmin Qureshi, Afzal Khan, Paula Barker, Rachel Hopkins, Sarah Owen, Naz Shah and Andy Slaughter. Parliamentary private secretaries Dan Carden and Mary Foy joined them in stepping down.

Saturday saw pro-Palestine protest organisers oversee a national day of action, instead of a large march in central London.

The direct action took the form of more than 100 smaller rallies at various locations across the UK. Previous weekends have seen thousands of protesters and counterprotesters converging on the capital.