Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged voters to choose 'progress' over 'the politics of anger' as millions prepare to cast their ballots in a make-or-break set of local elections. In a strongly worded statement, Starmer said his rivals had shown themselves 'unfit for high office'.
'Politics is about choices. The choices that affect you and your family,' Starmer said. 'On Thursday, when you go to put your vote in the ballot box, there’s a clear choice on that piece of paper. Unity or division. Progress versus the politics of anger. The right plan for our country up against easy answers that will lead us nowhere.'
Starmer contrasted Labour councils working with his government to deliver local services with Reform UK, whom he accused of driving a wedge between communities. He highlighted the challenges Britain has faced, including Tory austerity, Brexit, the pandemic, and the economic damage caused by Liz Truss. 'We’ve got through these tough times by standing together in the hope of a better future. Not by dividing our great nation,' he said.
Addressing global instability, Starmer reiterated his stance on the Iran conflict: 'The war in Iran is not our war – but we know there’s a cost to that conflict that is being felt across Britain right now. And it’s a cost that will likely get worse in the coming months.' He accused Nigel Farage and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch of wanting to deploy British Armed Forces 'headfirst into a war with no plan', calling them 'unfit for high office'.
Starmer also criticised Green Party leader Zack Polanski for his views on NATO and his questioning of police actions following the antisemitic terror attack in Golders Green. 'Farage, Badenoch and Polanski have proven they cannot meet this moment. But my Labour Government is,' Starmer declared.
The Prime Minister highlighted Labour's achievements, including a pay boost for over 2 million low-paid workers, lifting half a million children out of poverty by scrapping the two-child limit, reducing NHS waiting lists by over 400,000, and hiring 2,000 new GPs. 'While others talk, Labour is delivering for you,' he said.
Starmer concluded: 'Back action to ease the cost of living. Back our NHS. Back a better future for your local community. On Thursday, choose unity over division. Vote Labour.'
