Starmer vows to remain Labour leader during cost-of-living pitch to voters

Sir Keir Starmer is set to launch a new year’s campaign aimed at reassuring voters that a Labor government will improve their financial well-being and ease life crises. The move follows the Labor leader’s latest efforts to deny speculation about his position.

On Monday, Sir Keir is scheduled to visit Berkshire where he will meet personally with residents. He plans to draw on his own upbringing, recalling how his family struggled to “make ends meet” and emphasizing the understanding that “every pound counts.” The support comes after a difficult year for his administration, marked by slow economic growth, internal leadership murmurs and disappointing poll results ahead of local elections in May.

In his New Year’s address to voters, the Labor leader acknowledged public “disappointment” at the pace of progress. But he argued his policies would begin to deliver “positive change” for people by 2026.

Sir Keir also insisted he would still be in 10th place by 2027, despite discontent among some backbenchers and suggestions that heavy losses in the May election would lead to a race to replace him.

But he told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg program that the votes in Scotland, England and Wales would not be a “referendum” on the Westminster administration.

“We will fight for every vote and we will not take anything for granted,” he said.

He stressed that frequent leadership changes were not in the “national interest” and that the “constant chopping and changing” under the previous Tory government was “utter chaos”.

The Prime Minister appeared to acknowledge criticism of his premiership but said he would “rise above” the comments and focus on making a “material difference” to people’s lives.

Asked if he appreciated the political trouble he was in after a series of policy U-turns and strategy changes, he said: “Almost every week someone writes that this week has been the worst week in politics.

“You can’t have the worst 52 weeks in politics.”

In a series of visits this week, Sir Keir will highlight policies such as freezing rail fares and cuts to energy bills, which he says will help reduce the financial burden on households.

Nearly three million train tickets will be discounted for a week from Tuesday as part of the government’s annual plan.

Before meeting residents on Monday, Sir Keir said: “This is also good news for Berkshire’s high streets and local businesses, with affordable public transport attracting customers and helping families spend time together.

“Growing up our family couldn’t always make ends meet. I know every pound counts and this year I will go further to tackle the cost of living and reduce costs for families.”

As MPs return to Westminster this week after the Christmas break, Sir Keir will tell the first Cabinet meeting of the year on Tuesday: “I know families up and down the country are still worried about the cost of living.

“We will not give up our fight to make life better for them,” he said.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she “expects gratitude” when Sir Keir “makes decisions that make the cost of living worse”.

He said working people were paying “higher taxes” after the government extended a freeze on income tax thresholds, which, along with previous extensions, meant millions were dragged into paying higher rates.

Ministers said changes to the autumn statement, which included increasing general taxes by £26bn, were “fair and necessary” to help reduce the cost of living and improve public services.

“Labour has no plan to fix Britain and working families are paying the price,” Ms Badenoch said.