Starmer Strikes Back

Keir Starmer walked into Labour conference under heavy fire, branded too cautious, too dull, too uninspiring. He’s walked away this afternoon having delivered what may be his strongest pitch yet. A patriotic rallying cry that framed next year's local, Scottish and Welsh elections as a fight not only with the Conservatives, but squarely with Nigel Farage and Reform UK. If it’s not too painful to think about, TWFW would even suggest this was the opening salvo of the 2029 General Election.

Introduced by Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall, Starmer began slowly, almost sermon-like. But as he summoned a “Last Night of the Proms” visual as delegates (except, apparently, Ed Miliband) furiously waved St George’s and Union flags, the speech hit its stride. “They’re our flags, they belong to all of us, and we will never surrender them,” the PM declared.

The attack lines from Starmer were sharp. He accused Farage of wanting Britain to fail. “No more of them!” he roared, mocking Liz Truss and other self-appointed economic mess-makers. Notably, he made no mention of Kemi Badenoch at all.

But Starmer also tried to reach beyond the party faithful. “If you want to stand against grievance, this is your fight too,” he said, framing Labour as a home for voters disillusioned with tribal politics. Echoing his new Home Secretary’s hardline approach, he warned Labour members the public was allowed to be worried about immigration and to demand tough border controls so long as they stay the right side of debate without descending to disorder and brick throwing.

On policy, growth remained Labour’s defining mission. Starmer replaced Blair’s 50% attendance at university target with a goal for two-thirds to either go to university or a “gold standard” apprenticeship. He pledged a “virtual” health service would deploy technology to speed up care. And the PM dropped a heavy hint Reeves’ will give way on the two-child benefit cap – even though the Chancellor has already made clear more tax rises are coming.

Nevertheless, in tone and timing, this was a pivot from managing the party to preparing for the next electoral battle. Labour vs Reform. Starmer vs Farage.

So while Starmer leaves Liverpool stronger than when he arrived, the real test looms with November’s Autumn Budget. Starmer can wave flags and attack Reform, but voters and markets will be watching. Balancing investment in health, apprenticeships, and border security with fiscal responsibility isn’t just policy; it’s a test of whether Starmer can not only lead but deliver on his Government’s promises.