Keir Starmer vows to prove his doubters wrong in do-or-die speech

Starmer has faced calls to quit after Labour’s local election drubbing last week (Picture: James Manning/PA Wire)

Keir Starmer has taken responsibility for Labour’s devastating election results but refused to step down in a do-or-die speech this morning.

The Prime Minister is laying out an agenda to address the ‘big challenges’ facing the UK as Labour MPs threaten to topple him.

The party lost more than 1,400 councillors and were ousted from power in Wales, triggering widespread anger within the Labour ranks.

The Prime Minister said: ‘The elections results last week were tough. Very tough.

‘That hurts and it should hurt. I get it. I feel it. I take responsibility.

The PM said he won’t walk away (Picture: James Manning/PA Wire)

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‘But it is not just about taking responsibility for the results, it is about taking responsibility to explain how, as a political and electoral force, we will be better and do better in the months ahead.

Turning to his own future, he vowed: ‘I take responsibility for not walking away, not plunging our country into chaos, as the Tories did time and again. Chaos that did lasting damage to this country.

‘A Labour government would never be forgiven for inflicting that on our country again.’

The Prime Minister is expected to say: ‘To meet the challenges that our country faces, incremental change won’t cut it.

‘On growth, defence, Europe, energy – we need a bigger response than we anticipated in 2024 because these are not ordinary times.

‘Strength through fairness. It’s a core Labour argument. And you will see those values writ large in the King’s Speech. And you will see hope, urgency and exactly whose side we are on.’

Sir Keir will also make a push for closer ties with Brussels, weeks after senior Labour figures such as Sadiq Khan and Neil Kinnock called for Britain to rejoin the EU.

However, it is expected that the PM will stick to his so-called ‘red lines’ not to rejoin the single market or customs union.

The Prime Minister is expected to announce closer ties with the EU while maintaining his red lines (Picture: REUTERS)

Sir Keir will say: ‘This Labour Government will be defined by rebuilding our relationship and by putting Britain at the heart of Europe. So that we are stronger on the economy, on trade, on defence, you name it.

‘Because standing shoulder to shoulder with the countries that most share our interests, our values and our enemies – that is the right choice for Britain, that is the Labour choice.’

Backbench Labour MP turned leadership threat Catherine West will decide whether to challenge Starmer after watching his speech.

She told Metro she would send an email to all her fellow MPs asking for their support if he did now she he was ‘fighting for working people’.

The Hornsey and Friern Barnet MP has made clear she wants a Cabinet member to come forward to challenge the Prime Minister.

There is speculation that her ‘stalking horse’ bid could help Health Secretary Wes Streeting run for the top job.

Angela Rayner has called for Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to be welcomed back into the Parliamentary fold (Picture: Getty Images Europe)

He has publicly supported the Prime Minister but there are reports he has told Sir Keir is preparing his case to take over.

Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, seen as another leadership rival, issued a statement last night telling her boss to ‘meet the moment and set out the change our country needs’.

She failed to explicitly endorse the PM or call for him to resign, but did say Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham should return to Parliament.

Burnham is viewed as a popular choice for the next Labour leader among many MPs but was blocked from trying to return as an MP by Labour’s national executive committee in January

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