Prime Minister says we face a short-term struggle for long-term benefits
Sir Keir Starmer will make his speech at the Labour Party conference today
Sir Keir Starmer will say that he wants to 'build a new Britain' but that it will be 'tough in the short-term' when he takes to the stage at the Labour Party conference later.
In his first Labour Party conference speech as Prime Minister, Sir Keir will tell Britons there is “light at the end of this tunnel” but they must first join a “shared struggle” through tough short-term pressures.
In a sign that he will be prepared to push ahead with reforms to the economy and public services despite the prospect of resistance, Sir Keir will say: “I have to warn you, working people do want more decisive government.
“They do want us to rebuild our public services and they do want that to lead to more control in their lives.
“But their pockets are not deep – not at all. So we have to be a great reforming government.”
The opening weeks of Labour’s government have been characterised by a gloomy outlook on the public finances, with the claimed £22 billion “black hole” left by the Tories blamed for the decision to squeeze winter fuel payments.
But Sir Keir will attempt to set out his end goal of creating “a Britain built to last, built with respect and built with pride”.
He will say: “The politics of national renewal are collective. They involve a shared struggle.
“A project that says, to everyone, this will be tough in the short term, but in the long term – it’s the right thing to do for our country. And we all benefit from that.”
Sir Keir will say the short-term pain will bring about the longer-term benefits more quickly.
He will say: “The truth is that if we take tough long-term decisions now, if we stick to the driving purpose behind everything we do: higher economic growth – so living standards rise in every community; our NHS facing the future – waiting lists at your hospital down; safer streets in your community; stronger borders; more opportunities for your children; clean British energy powering your home; making our country more secure… then that light at the end of this tunnel, that Britain that belongs to you, we get there much more quickly.”
Winter fuel payments, donations and Sue Gray
While the Labour leader will attempt to set out his positive vision of “national renewal” the speech comes against a backdrop of anger within the Labour movement about the decision to means-test winter fuel payments, stripping them from millions of pensioners.
That decision, along with infighting behind the scenes in No 10 and rows over donations to Sir Keir and other senior Labour figures, has contributed to a party conference with a more subdued mood than might have been expected after July’s election landslide.
Labour Party Conference so far
The conference opened on Sunday with Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, saying "now is our moment" as she pledged to bolster workers’ rights, create high quality homes and strengthen communities.
She described the Government's Employment Rights Bill, which will face Parliament next month, as "historic legislation" that will "make work more secure" and see trade unions strengthened".
Yesterday, Rachel Reeves sought to offer a more optimistic vision in her first Labour conference speech as Chancellor, announcing that thousands of children will get access to free breakfast clubs from April.
The speech followed a row over Ms Reeves's decision to means-test winter fuel payments, stripping the handouts worth up to £300 from millions of pensioners.
Ms Reeves insisted that her plans would not amount to the return of Tory-era austerity.
Where is the Labour Party conference taking place?
The Labour Party Conference is taking place at The Exhibition Centre in Liverpool from Sunday 22 September until Wednesday 25 September.
What time is the Prime Minister's speech?
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to take to the stage at 2pm today (Tuesday 24 September).