UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to protect public services and rejected the idea of austerity as Labour’s first annual conference in 15 years as a governing party begins in Liverpool. After Labour’s landslide victory over the Conservatives, Starmer aims to strike a balance between celebrating success and preparing for tough decisions ahead.
Despite facing criticism for limiting winter fuel payments and recent negative headlines, Starmer assured that he would not pursue austerity measures. He vowed to ensure that public services remain functional while shielding working people from tax hikes.
The conference comes at a time when Starmer’s approval rating has dipped, with an Opinium poll showing only 24% support. However, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Foreign Secretary David Lammy delivered optimistic speeches, rallying for growth and declaring “Britain is back.”
Starmer highlighted Labour’s accomplishments in just 11 weeks, including ambitious homebuilding targets, recruiting police officers and teachers, and establishing a green energy investment body. However, he faces pressure from Unite union leader Sharon Graham, who called for the reversal of his decision to means-test fuel payments for pensioners.
Starmer attributes the “tough decisions” to a £22 billion financial gap left by the previous government, a claim the Conservatives deny.