Starmer FINALLY admits he's made huge errors as PM says he 'won't get everything right'
Follow below for live updates from GB News throughout the day
- Sir Keir Starmer delivered his keynote conference speech this afternoon
- The Prime Minister claimed that there is 'light at the end of this tunnel'
- Pat McFadden insists Labour will root out benefits fraud
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Sir Keir Starmer admitted he's made mistakes in his first three months as Prime Minister this afternoon, telling Labour members: "Service doesn’t mean we’ll get everything right."
The tacit admission comes after the Labour leadership has been embroiled in a clothes from donors row and anger from members over the Government portraying a negative outlook for Britain.
Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, the Prime Minister “service is the responsibility and opportunity of power”, adding: “Service does not mean we’ll get everything right, it doesn’t mean everyone will agree.
“But it does mean we understand that every decision we take, we take together and that it is our duty to the British people to face up to necessary decisions in their interests.”
The Prime Minister also criticised those people who “still hanker” for the “weak and cowardly fantasy of populism”, saying it is “water off a duck’s back” to him.
WATCH: Keir Starmer makes HUGE gaffe in conference speech as he calls for 'return of sausages'
Sir Keir Starmer delivers his conference speechGB NEWSSir Keir Starmer made a major gaffe in his first conference speech as Prime Minister today.
While calling for the return of hostages, the Labour leader accidentally misspoke and called for the "return of the sausages."
James Cleverly blasts 'hypocrite' Starmer after PM's conference speech
James Cleverly
PAFormer Home Secretary James Cleverly has blasted Sir Keir Starmer after the Prime Minister's conference speech.
Cleverly, who is running to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader, said: “The Labour Party has had years to prepare for Government; Keir Starmer’s speech shows those years were wasted.
“He talked about the mandate he won but he doesn’t have a mandate to strip millions of pensioners of their winter fuel payments, hike up taxes for hard working families, and introduce nanny-state policies that will destroy local communities and businesses.
“Keir Starmer won’t match our commitment to defence spending; he doesn’t have a plan to safeguard our borders; and his latest sleaze row has exposed him as a hypocrite.
"The only thing that hard working people can be sure of is that this Labour government will take their money so they can give it to their Union paymasters.”
Suella Braverman brands Yvette Cooper 'pathetic' as Tory calls out Home Secretary following party conference speech
Suella Braverman
PASuella Braverman has slammed Yvette Cooper for using her party conference speech to "fixate on the past" instead of knuckling down a "robust plan to secure our borders".
The former Home Secretary wrote on social media: "Today was a golden opportunity for the Home Secretary to set out a robust plan to secure our borders.
"Instead, she chose to fixate on the past - it’s always someone else’s fault.
"No mention of the 1,424 migrants who crossed the Channel last weekend alone.
"Pathetic."
Veterans, care leavers and domestic abuse victims will be housed, Starmer vows
Keir Starmer
PA
Veterans, young care leavers and victims of domestic abuse will be given a "guaranteed roof over their head", Sir Keir Starmer has promised.
The Prime Minister pledged that "homes will be there for heroes" as he vowed to "house all veterans in housing need" across England.
He also said young care leavers and victims of domestic abuse "will have the security they deserve", as he addressed issues around current requirements to have a local connection in order to get housing support in many areas.
The changes will mean all three groups will be exempt from local connection or residency tests which most councils have in place to determine who can qualify for social housing.
Campaigners welcomed the news, but housing charity Shelter said the change "won’t address the fact that there’s just fundamentally not enough social housing available" and repeated the demand for 90,000 social rent homes to be built a year for 10 years to "clear social housing waiting lists and end homelessness for good".
Tom Tugendhat slams 'gloating' Starmer over Winter Fuel Payments
Tom TugendhatGettyResponding to Sir Keir Starmer's speech at Labour Party Conference, Conservative leadership contender Tom Tugendhat accused the Prime Minister of "gloating".
He said: "Instead of apologising for plunging millions of pensioners into poverty this winter and releasing dangerous criminals back onto our streets, all we saw today was arrogance and gloating.
"Keir Starmer continues to be dishonest about the choice he has made: to put his union paymasters before the service of the British people.
"This isn’t the leadership we need, this is a Labour government that only serves the unions and is taking the public for fools. It’s time to start acting like a Party in government. Not opposition."
Protester speaks out on why he heckled Starmer
Daniel Riley, 18, who heckled the Prime Minister in his speech at the Labour Party conference said he was moved to shout due Sir Keir Starmer’s stance on the Middle East.
He told reporters after being released by security: “Everyday we’re still sending British bombs and British bullets that are being used in Lebanon and in Gaza right now and the Prime Minister – he could stop that, he could stop that right now but he doesn’t.
“And he says that he wants things to stop but he won’t lift a finger to actually stop it.”
Asked if he had planned to disrupt the leader’s speech, Riley said: “No, I was a delegate, I’m a Labour Party member, I hoped I’d be one for life but I suspect not now.”
Starmer joined by his wife on stage after his conference address
At the end of his speech Sir Keir Starmer was joined on stage by his wife Victoria who has been so much of the focus of the clothes from donors scandal.
For today's appearance in front of the gathered media, Lady Starmer wore an Edeline Lee dress with accompanying Edeline Lee shoes.
The dress costs £1,105 to buy on the outfitter's website.
Starmer promises to 'deliver' while in power as he finishes his speech
Concluding his conference speech, Sir Keir Starmer said people will “get a country with its future back” under the new Government.
He told Labour members: “What will people get to show for it? They’ll get a country with its future back. Renewed by respect and service. Rebalanced towards the interests of working people. Confident in its values and story, because together we took action.
“Millions who feel better off, without being told they are by politicians. Going to the supermarket without a calculator, because the nation’s numbers now add up. More money in their pocket to do the things they love and more faith in public services because once again Labour has rebuilt them.
“An NHS facing the future. More security and dignity at work. Town centres thriving. Streets safe. Borders controlled at last. Clean energy harnessed for national renewal.
“New homes, new towns, new hospitals, roads and schools. A new future for our children. That is what people will get, and mark my words – we will deliver it.”
Palestine protester interrupts Starmer speech
A protester has disrupted Sir Keir Starmer's speech to the Labour Party conference.
The young party member heckled the Prime Minister over Gaza before being escorted out by security.
The Prime Minister quipped: “This guy’s obviously got a pass from the 2019 conference.”
He added: “While he’s been protesting, we’ve been changing the party. That’s why we’ve got a Labour Government.”
Starmer takes aim at 'racist thugs' over summer riots
Sir Keir Starmer vowed never to let a “minority of violent, racist thugs terrorise our communities” before vowing to “get tough” on migration.
The Prime Minister told Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool: “And let me tell you something else I won’t let happen I will never let a minority of violent, racist thugs terrorise our communities. Look, I have always accepted concerns about immigration are legitimate.”
He drew some of his loudest applause yet before adding: “It is, as a point of fact the policy of this Government to reduce both net migration and our economic dependency upon it. I have never thought we should be relaxed about some sectors importing labour when there are millions of young people, ambitious and highly talented, who are desperate to work and contribute to their community.
“Trust me there are plenty of examples of apprenticeship starts going down at the very same time that visa applications for the same skills are going up and so we will get tough on this.”
Starmer sets out three step plan for Government
Sir Keir Starmer warned of a “shared struggle” as Britain faces decimated public services and economic woes but insisted “we’re all in it together”.
The Prime Minister told the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool: “First, we stabilise our economy, second we fix the foundations and third we build with pride and determination a Britain that belongs to you.
“But it will be hard. That’s not rhetoric, it’s reality. It’s not just the financial black hole, the £22 billion of unfunded spending commitments concealed from our country by the Tories.
“It’s not just the societal black hole. Our public services decimated, communities held together with little more than goodwill.
“It’s also the political black hole, because the politics of national renewal, they are collective.
“They involve a shared struggle, a project that says to everyone: this will be tough in the short term, but in the long term is the right thing for our country and we all benefit from that.
“To coin a phrase, we’re all in it together.”
'Homes for heroes' promised by Starmer during conference speech
Sir Keir Starmer promised to “repay” homeless veterans, saying “homes will be there for heroes”.
The Prime Minister said: “There is another injustice hiding in plain sight on our streets.
“In every town and city in this country, people who were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, who put their lives on the line to protect us all, but who will not have a safe place to sleep tonight.
“We cannot stand by and let this happen anymore. And so today, I can announce that this Government will respect that service.
“We will repay those who served us. And house all veterans in housing need.
“Homes will be there for heroes.”
Starmer makes an excruciating gaffe while talking about the Gaza war
In an unfortunate gaffe during his address, Starmer muddles his words while talking about the situation in Gaza.
While attempting to make a demand for hostages to be returned to Israel, he accidentally states he wants "the return of the sausages".
Starmer says he won't be put off by protesters
So far the Labour leader's speech has been unimpeded by protests. Previous years have seen Starmer heckled and even targeted with glitter.
But shrugging off his detractors, the Prime Minister tells the Labour conference: “Politics can be on the side of good, politics can be on the side of truth and justice, politics can secure a better life for your family through the steady and uncompromising work of service.
“Because service is responsibility and opportunity for all. The pre-conditon for hope. The bond of respect that can unite a country, bind us to the politics of national renewal. Service doesn’t mean you get everything you want. It doesn’t mean everyone will agree.
“But it does mean we understand that every decision we take, we take together, and that it is our duty for the British people to face up to necessary decisions in their interests.
"And conference, you know me by now, so you know all those shouts, the bad faith advice from people who still hanker after the politics of the people before me, the weak and tawdry fantasy of populism, it’s water off a duck’s back. Mere glitter on a shirt cuff.”
PM vows new Hillsborough law before next April
Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to introduce a new Hillsborough law in Parliament before next April's anniversary for the 1989 disaster.
He said that he first made the promise when addressing the Labour conference in Liverpool two years ago and that he intended to follow through with it.
“That’s when I promised that on this stage that if I ever had the privilege to serve our country as Prime Minister, one of my first acts would be to bring in a Hillsborough law, a law of candour," he said.
“A law for Liverpool, a law for the 97, a law that people shouldn’t have had to fight so hard to get, that will be delivered by my Labour Government.
“It’s also a law for the victims of the Horizon scheme, the victims of Grenfell Tower, the infected blood scandal, and all the other injustices suffered at the hands of working people.”
Starmer takes to the stage to standing ovation
GB NEWS
Sir Keir Starmer has started giving his address to Labour members.
Taking the stage to a standing ovation, the Prime Minister thanked those in the room for helping win the General Election in July.
"Take pride in your victory," he said.
"But never forget that this opportunity is only here because we changed the party. Country first, party second."
5 minutes to go until Starmer's speech
Only five minutes now until Sir Keir Starmer addresses Labour members in Liverpool.
It's his first major speech to the party since becoming Prime Minister.
Last year his speech was sabotaged by a climate protester just minutes after he began speaking.
Let's see if he manages the entire address uninterrupted this time...
Starmer considers closing pubs early as part of 'nanny state' health measures
Starmer considers closing pubs early as part of 'nanny state' health measuresPALabour is considering closing pubs early under "nanny state" measures to curb harmful drinking, a Health Minister has claimed.
Andrew Gwynne lamented the "continental cafe-style" drinking culture intrudced by Sir Tony Blair and insisted the Government were considering "tightening up the hours of operation".
The crackdown on drinking is under consideration alongside measures to target obesity, including pushing the food industry to reduce the fat, sugar and salt content of everyday foods.
Speaking at the Labour Party conference, Gwynne said: “These are discussions that we have got to have – even if it’s just about tightening up on some of the hours of operation; particularly where there are concerns that people are drinking too much.”
He added: “Alcohol harm is one of the key areas: the availability of alcohol, the harms that overdrinking does, domestic violence, the licensing laws.”
Gwynne later revealed that Professor Chris Whitty is "very keen" to "refresh" licensing laws.
Chris Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, argued against the move.
“The last Labour government’s decision to relax licensing laws was a great success but it seems the new Government wants to hammer pubs any way it can,” he said.
Snowdon added: “We already have 50 pubs a month closing and any move to ban outside smoking and restrict hours will put more at risk.
“Ministers’ full-throated support for nanny-state measures is very concerning and should be resisted for the protection of this country’s heritage.”
However, a Department for Health spokesman denied any changes to licensing hours were being considered.
Labour has NOT scrapped Rwanda law despite ditching deportation flights - Tories demand answers
The Government has been urged to explain why it has not scrapped the Rwanda ActPAThe Government has been urged to explain why it has not scrapped the Rwanda Act, which remains on the statute books months after Sir Keir Starmer said the plan was “dead.”
In a question tabled in the Lords earlier this month, Lord Kempsell asked whether Labour intended to repeal the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024 and, if so, when.
Labour's Lord Hanson replied that the Home Secretary had set out “the government’s position in respect of the Illegal Migration Act” in July.
“Any legislative plans flowing from the statement will be set out in the normal way in due course."
'It was arson, racism, it was thuggery!' Yvette Cooper in furious attack on summer rioters - 'Don't tell me that was protest'
'It was arson, racism, it was thuggery!' Yvette Cooper in furious attack on summer rioters - 'Don't tell me that was protest'GB NEWSHome Secretary Yvette Cooper has launched a furious attack against summer rioters by labelling the spate of incidents as "arson, racism and thuggery".
Unrest was sparked across England and Northern Ireland following a series of unfounded rumours about the perpetrator behind the tragic stabbing of three children in Southport.
Speaking at the ACC in Liverpool, Cooper said: "Don’t anyone tell me that was protest, don’t anyone tell me that was about immigration or policing or poverty.
"Plenty of people have strong views on immigration, on crime, on the NHS and more but they don’t pick up bricks and throw them at the police.
"They don’t set fire to buildings with people inside. It was arson, it was racism, it was thuggery, it was crime.”
Countryside Alliance slams Vince over vegan school meals
An image of a school classroom in Northern Ireland
PAThe Countryside Alliance has slammed Labour donor Dale Vince over his comments about school meals at a fringe event yesterday.
Speaking to GB News, Mo Metcalf-Fisher, Director of External Affairs for the Countryside Alliance said: “The decision as to whether a child does not have meat and dairy in their diet as part of a balanced healthy lifestyle is a matter exclusively for parents and guardians, not animal rights activists.
"Rather than moving away from meat and dairy, a move which would be incredibly unpopular, the Government should be encouraging schools to supply sustainable produce, including meat, dairy and vegetables, from British farmers”.
Labour megadonor urges Starmer to scrap laws banning vegan-only school meals
Labour megadonor urges Starmer to scrap laws banning vegan-only school mealsPALabour megadonor Dale Vince has urged Sir Keir Starmer to scrap laws banning vegan-only meals at schools.
The multi-millionaire, who donated £3.6million to Labour in 2024 alone, also outlined his bid to create school dinners from grass "powder or granules".
Speaking at a fringe event, Vince said: "There are schools which want to go further. They don't want meat and dairy on the menu perhaps every day of the week or even at all.
"But it is the law of the land. I am hoping to have a conversation with the new Government to encourage them to change the law."
He added: "We shouldn't be forcing these unhealthy products on to our kids."
Vince is a major backer of the Prime Minister, pumping in £5million through his company Ecotricity since Starmer became Labour leader in 2020.
The 63-year-old also confirmed that he has stopped funding eco-zealot activist group Just Stop Oil.
"I eventually felt it was unhelpful, which was why I stopped funding Just Stop Oil and began focusing on stopping the Tories," he said.
McFadden claims Labour couldn't avoid pensioner raid on Winter Fuel Payments
Pat McFadden
PALabour could not avoid axing Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has claimed.
Pat McFadden defended Sir Keir Starmer's controversial plan to strip the pensioner perk ahead of the Prime Minister's speech this afternoon.
He told the BBC: “I understand why some people say that we’d rather that we hadn’t had to take this decision, in a way I feel that way myself.
“But we find ourselves in a very difficult position, where the previous government had to spend the whole of the reserves for this year within three months…Look, it’s a difficult decision, I understand that, and I know there’ll be opposition to some of these things.
“But let me make another point about this. Getting the public finances sorted is an inescapable duty of government. You can’t just run away from it. And we know what happened when people tried to run away from it.”
Starmer insists 'light at end of tunnel' as Labour pushes ahead with 'tough decisions' after £22billion Tory black hole
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer PASir Keir Starmer will today insist that there is "light at the end of this tunnel" as he tries to convince the country to put up with short-term financial pain to get the UK back on track.
The Prime Minister will also warn he cannot lower taxes until he fills the spending “black hole” left by the Conservatives.
However, Starmer will later look beyond the Budget to argue that Labour can bring back “joy” in people’s lives over the next five years.