"Starmer under pressure to give the speech of his life delivered what many of his party had been waiting to hear, a full-throated defence of progressive values as the antidote to Reform, with no more equivocation. National renewal, patriotism, clear dividing lines between us and the left and the right, aimed directly at middle Britain, one senior adviser summed it up. He finally made an emotional connection, one minister said. Also scrappy and defiant, which is always good when your back's to the wall."
"But the script that Starmer has silenced his critics and left his rival chastened would be a chronically naive misreading of the grim mood among many cabinet ministers and MPs. If this conference had been held two weeks ago, I believe there might have been the possibility of a leadership challenge now, one senior Labour politician said. As it stands, I think a combination of the right speech and the conduct of Andy Burnham has saved Keir for now."
Labour party delegates waved UK national flags during Keir Starmer's conference speech, reassuring the prime minister that his patriotic message resonated. Downing Street insiders locked down the address for three weeks, and aides at Chequers found extensive notes on countering rising nationalism. Television viewers saw stony-faced cabinet ministers in the front row throughout much of the speech. Andy Burnham dominated early conference conversation but became a target of jokes by the main stage by the end. Starmer delivered a full-throated defence of progressive values, emphasised national renewal and patriotism aimed at middle Britain, and forged an emotional connection that reduced immediate leadership threat while leaving future uncertainty.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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