Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to prove his "doubters" wrong as he fought back against calls for him to quit following Labour's heavy losses in local elections across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the results were "tough" and told an audience in central London: "I get it, I feel it, and I take responsibility." He pledged that his party would "be better and do better" in the months and years ahead.
"But it's not just about taking responsibility for the results. It's about taking responsibility to explain how, as a political and electoral force, we will be better and do better in the months and years ahead," he said.
Sir Keir added: "I know I have my doubters, and I know I need to prove them wrong, and I will."
Issuing a warning to his party, he said Britain was "not just facing dangerous times, but dangerous opponents, very dangerous opponents." He continued: "This hurts, not just because Labour has done badly, but because if we don't get this right, our country will go down a very dark path."
The Prime Minister's speech on Monday was billed as setting out sweeping changes to tackle the "big challenges" confronting the UK in a bid to shore up support for his premiership.
Sir Keir pledged to go further in his "reset" in relations with the European Union, saying his Government would be defined by putting Britain at the "heart of Europe." He promised to deliver "an ambitious youth experience scheme" with the EU so that "our young people can work and study and live in Europe, a symbol of a stronger relationship and a fairer future with our closest allies."
Domestically, Sir Keir pledged to bring forward new legislation to nationalise British Steel, saying a commercial sale of its Scunthorpe steel works had not been possible since the Government took over the running of the plant last year.
He also vowed to block "far-right agitators" from coming to the UK for a march planned on Saturday, saying the demonstration was "designed to confront and intimidate."
