LIVERPOOL — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer kicked off Labour’s annual conference, vowing to protect public services and ruling out austerity measures. The conference, Labour’s first as a governing party in 15 years, comes after a decisive general election victory over the Conservatives three months ago.
As Labour gathers in Liverpool, Starmer faces pressure to balance celebrating the party’s victory with preparing for “difficult decisions” in the coming months. He emphasized the government’s achievements in its first 11 weeks, contrasting them with what he described as the Conservatives’ lack of progress over the past decade.
Starmer promised to shield public services and working people from tax increases, rejecting the austerity measures seen in previous Conservative governments. “People have had a lot of tax rises, and there’s not much more room for tax rises,” Starmer said, reaffirming his commitment to avoid further financial burdens on workers.
Despite these reassurances, Starmer’s approval rating has dropped, with only 24% of voters approving of his leadership, according to an Opinium poll. The conference follows controversy over his acceptance of over £100,000 in gifts and hospitality, as well as growing criticism over cuts to winter fuel payments for pensioners, a move that has angered unions and the public.
Unite union leader Sharon Graham called on Starmer to reverse the cuts, describing them as a “cruel policy.” Billboards in Liverpool, organized by Unite, urge the government to restore the winter fuel payment, intensifying pressure ahead of the budget set for the end of October. Starmer acknowledged that tough decisions lie ahead but remains committed to his broader vision of improving the country’s public services without resorting to austerity.