Starmer frames fight against Reform UK as Labour conference looms

Keir Starmer warned Labour must win a 'fight for the soul of the nation' against Reform UK as the party heads into its annual conference in Liverpool, where polls place Reform about 10 points ahead of Labour. In remarks reported by The Guardian, Starmer said history will not forgive Labour if it does not marshal its energy to confront Reform and reclaim patriotism.

Starmer said the conference should be an opportunity to reclaim patriotism from Reform, and he pledged to confront Reform rather than ape it. He also insisted he would lead Labour into the next general election and urged colleagues to ignore questions about his grip on power.

The remarks come amid internal tensions after Downing Street was accused of leaning right on immigration policy, and as the party deals with a spate of scandals that have shaken its leadership team, including the departure of deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Britain's ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson. Starmer also appeared to aim a dig at former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, arguing that Farage's politics sit on the right while Corbyn's sit on the left. The run-up to the conference has been overshadowed by these controversies and by the ongoing investigations into party fundraising and governance. Sir Keir's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, is embroiled in controversy over allegations that he hid £730,000 in donations while running the Labour Together think-tank, despite being told he had a legal duty to declare them.

An exclusive Daily Mail poll shows Reform on 29 percent, Labour 20 percent, the Conservatives 15 percent, the Lib Dems 9 percent, and the Greens 8 percent. Farage has a net favorability of plus five (42 percent favorable, 37 percent unfavorable), while Starmer's net is minus 24 (27 percent favorable, 51 percent unfavorable).

Voters say cost of living remains the top priority, followed by immigration. Just 28 percent believe Labour would stop small boats, while 64 percent say they would fail. The public backs the return of the Rwanda deportation scheme by a 46-34 margin. On crime and punishment, 47 percent believe Labour's prison plans would raise crime, 9 percent think they would lower it, 17 percent support reducing jail sentences to ease overcrowding, and 51 percent oppose.

The poll underscores Reform as Labour's chief electoral threat. It also shows broad skepticism about Labour's ability to deliver on key issues one year after Starmer’s landslide victory, with disillusionment most pronounced among working-class voters. The Liverpool conference is expected to be a critical moment for Starmer as he seeks to steer the party through a turbulent period and return focus to policy priorities.