Sir Keir Starmer has sparked confusion after refusing to commit to fighting the next General Election in an exclusive interview with GB News - before committing to stand just a few hours later.
The Prime Minister was asked on a visit to Albania about his "plans for the future" and whether he would be fighting the next election.
But Starmer refused to commit to taking on the task of securing another five years in No10, telling Britain's News Channel: "You're getting way ahead of me."
"I'm absolutely clear that my task is to rebuild our country," Starmer vowed. "The security that we need, we're getting on with that.
The Prime Minister was asked by GB News in Albania about his 'plans for the future'
GB NEWS
"You've seen it over the last few days - trade deals with India, with the US, hopefully a trading relationship with the EU, very strong growth figures today reflecting the decisions that we've made for interest rate cuts, the actual living wage, waiting lists to come down."
He later vowed: "Of course I am going to stand at the next General Election. I have always said this is a decade of national renewal. I intend to lead.
"That is part of what we were arguing for at the last election - and of course, we have a lot more work to do and we have made huge progress."
The Prime Minister's initial words came just as Reform UK - which he has admitted he would face at a national poll - were handed a major polling boost.
LATEST AS LABOUR RAILS AGAINST MIGRATION:
Data from Survation has revealed that 30 per cent of Britons would Reform at a General Election
PAData from Survation has revealed that 30 per cent of Britons would Reform at a General Election, four percentage points higher than two weeks ago.
Labour, on the other hand, has lost one percentage point's worth of support to sit at 25 - while the Tories have lost four, plummeting to just 18 per cent.
"Another poll showing Reform UK leading Labour," Richard Tice said in response. "The minor parties are a long way back."
Over the weekend, the Prime Minister acknowledged that Labour will pivot from battling the Conservatives to Reform in 2029.
"We were planning on the basis we were likely to be facing Reform at the next election in any event," the PM told The Sun - and added that the local election results confirmed internal party "thinking".
He also admitted that the locals had taught Labour a lesson - but rather than attack Farage, he turned his fire on Kemi Badenoch, whose party also slumped across England on May 1.
"I think the Tory Party is a busted flush," Starmer spat. "They haven't learnt the lessons of the last General Election. They have no idea where they are heading."
'I think the Tory Party is a busted flush,' Starmer spat
GETTYBut just two days later, the PM was accused of "playing catch-up" to Reform by its leader Nigel Farage after the Government unveiled its Immigration White Paper.
Farage told GB News: "They weren't concerned before May 1 were they?
"Keir Starmer has spent his whole career campaigning for free movement of people wholly unconcerned about this subject, so much so that their massive parliamentary majority was gained without immigration even being one of their five main priorities.
"Now, of course, he knows that amongst the great British public, this issue rates even higher than the health service. And he's just basically playing catch up with Reform."
