Exclusive: Keir Starmer Tells GMB That Reform Will 'Tear Our Country Apart'

Addressing Public Unpopularity and Mandate

• 💡 Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledges public frustration after 14 years of the previous government, but stresses his five-year mandate to bring change.
• 🎯 He expects to be judged at the next election on three key areas: living standards, public services, and safety and security.

Tackling the Cost of Living Crisis

• 💬 Susanna Reid highlights the struggles of a voter, Rhonda, facing rising grocery, rent, council tax, and energy bills, leading her to consider other parties.
• ✅ Starmer points to an EU agreement to reduce food bills, a scheme to lower energy bills, and new initiatives like free childcare for 9 months to 4-year-olds and free school meals as evidence of action.

Stance on Reform UK

• ⚠️ Starmer differentiates between legitimate concerns about border security and Reform UK's specific policy to deport lawfully resident migrants, which he labels as "racist" and divisive.
• 🎭 He frames the upcoming election as a choice between Labour's vision of "patriotic national renewal" and Reform's approach of "toxic division" that feeds off grievance.

Economic Strategy and Growth

• 📊 Regarding a £30 billion "black hole," Starmer reaffirms the manifesto commitment against increasing income tax, national insurance, or VAT for working people.
• 📈 He asserts that the UK has achieved the highest growth in the G7 for the first six months of the year and secured record investment, indicating economic stabilization.

NHS and Future Outlook

• 🏥 Starmer highlights the Labour government's achievement of 5 million extra NHS appointments, significantly exceeding their initial target of 2 million.
• 🚀 He remains confident in his ability to change the country for the better over his five-year mandate, despite current unpopularity, drawing on past successes in transforming the Labour Party and winning the election.