Keir Starmer ‘to unveil plans for closer ties to EU’ to stave off leadership challenge
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to use plans for closer ties with the European Union as part of his bid to stave off a leadership challenge after Thursday’s local elections, which are expected to be disastrous for Labour.
The prime minister reportedly plans to make a speech in the days following the results, including a pledge to establish closer ties with the bloc to combat the cost of living crisis caused by the Iran war.
Accordingly TimesSir Keir will argue that the conflict shows Britain “cannot ignore” the benefits of closer ties with Brussels, and will emphasize that his red lines remain that there will be no return to freedom of movement or the single market.
A No 10 source said: “Establishing a closer relationship with the EU is vital not only for economic growth but also for reducing the cost of living. We cannot ignore it.”
comes later Independent Earlier this year he announced that Sir Keir plans to make Brexit the key dividing line in the next general election as the government seeks to win back voters it lost to Reform UK and the Greens.
After years of tense relations under Conservative rule, Labor believes it is the only political party with a stance that reflects public views on Brexit.
Ten years on from the referendum to leave the EU, polls generally show that a majority of voters do not think Brexit is currently working and want closer ties with the bloc. But the majority seem to think rejoining should not be a priority for the government.
The government, which has moved to the right on immigration, restrictions on illegal Channel crossings and ministers’ increased rhetoric on the issue, believes it can create a clear dividing line with opposition parties on EU relations, sources say Independent In January.
The position comes as Labor braces for historic losses in the upcoming election, after poll expert Robert Hayward warned that the government faces a “serious” loss of more than 75 per cent of the council seats it defends across England.
The Conservative Party’s Lord Hayward predicted Labor would lose 1,850 seats, while Nigel Farage’s UK Reform Party would be the biggest winner, gaining 1,550 seats, and the Greens would gain 500 seats.
This is expected to be a moment of grave danger for the Prime Minister, who is facing growing calls to resign over his handling of the Peter Mandelson scandal.
Labor MPs are said to be increasingly frustrated with the chaos in government; Some are looking at Wes Streeting or Angela Rayner as possible successors to Sir Keir if the election results are as grim for the government as expected.
Backbenchers who won their seats in the 2024 election are reportedly planning to press for the prime minister’s resignation with an open letter reminiscent of the run-on letter sent to Sir Tony Blair 20 years ago.
But housing minister Steve Reed told Sky News on Tuesday that MPs “want this psychodrama to stop” and warned the party against being “led into disaster through leaders”.
It comes as Sir Keir vowed to go into election day “fighting for every vote” but admitted Labor could face a “challenge” as political leaders complete their local election campaign trails.
Nearly 25,000 candidates are running for election to more than 5,000 seats on 136 councils across England.
In Scotland, all 129 seats are up for election in Holyrood, while in Wales voters will elect 96 members of the Senedd.
