Keir Starmer takes veiled swipe at 'decline and division' of Nigel Farage in PM's New Year message

Sir Keir, who admitted he shares public "frustration about the pace of change", said: "The challenges we face were decades in the making, and renewal is not an overnight job, but putting our country back on a stable footing will become our strength.

"Strength that means we can support you with the cost of living. Rail fares, prescription charges, fuel duty.

"All frozen. £150 cut from your energy bills. A boost once again to the National Minimum Wage. A major cut to the cost of childcare.

"We are getting Britain back on track. By staying the course, we will defeat the decline and division offered by others."

Reform UK ends 2025 at the top of the opinion polls, having snatched 676 wards in the 2025 Local Elections and won the parliamentary by-election of Runcorn & Helsby in May.

Sir Keir's position as Prime Minister is now increasingly precarious, with Labour's biggest trade union donor warning it is "inevitable" the Holborn & St Pancras MP will be forced to resign.

The rise of Zack Polanski's Green Party and surge in support for Plaid Cymru in the Caerphilly by-election is also putting pressure on Sir Keir.

Speaking from Downing Street, the Prime Minister also set out the challenges faced in 2025.

"Things have been tough in Britain for a while," Sir Keir said. "For many, life is still harder than it should be.

"You long for a bit more money in your pockets, a meal out, a holiday. The chance to make a special family moment extra special."

Looking ahead to the New Year, the Prime Minister added: "In 2026, the choices we've made will mean more people will begin to feel positive change in your bills, your communities and your health service.

"But even more people will feel once again a sense of hope, a belief that things can and will get better, feel that the promise of renewal can become a reality, and my Government will make it that reality.

"More police on the streets by March. Energy bills down and the number of new health hubs up in April. More funding for local communities.

"And with that change, decline will be reversed. That opportunity for you and pride in your community can be restored. I share the frustration about the pace of change."

However, the Prime Minister concluded his New Year address with a heartfelt message to the nation.

He said: "For all the times that have been tough, I hope the festive period has brought good moments.

"Precious time with your family. A chance to celebrate what's most important to you. I wish you more of those moments next year.

"When things start to feel easier. When politics shows it can help again. When Britain turns the corner with our future now in our control, the real Britain will shine through more strongly. Happy New Year."

Sir Keir's message comes just hours after Mr Farage made a stark prediction about the upcoming local elections slated for May 7 next year.

The Reform UK leader said: "I’ll make this prediction: if Reform win those elections, if we come top, it will put us way ahead of the other parties. Already, we’ve led for 175 opinion polls in a row.

"Our average lead is 10 per cent. If we get this right on May 7 this year, we will go on and win that general election. We will then absolutely have a chance of genuinely, fundamentally, change the whole system of government in Britain."

Meanwhile, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch urged Britons to vote Conservative, adding: "I'm not giving up on our country and I hope you won’t either."

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also swiped at Mr Farage in his message, claiming he was "taking the fight" to the Reform UK leader.