Tue, 06 Jan 2026

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 Target 'divisive' Reform in 2026, Keir Starmer tells ministers

The PM says Labour needs to contrast its "renewal" of the country with Reform's "grievance and division".

* Sir Keir Starmer has drawn sharp dividing lines between Labour and Reform UK, accusing them of feeding on "grievance, decline and division".
* He told his cabinet that voters face a choice between a Labour government "renewing the country" and a Reform movement.
* He accused Reform of wanting a weaker state, injecting "bile into our communities", and appeasing Russian President Vladimir Putin.
* A Reform UK spokesman said the PM was obsessed with them because they posed a threat to his "failing government".
* Sir Keir also told ministers that Labour would not lose due to polls, but rather when it loses belief or nerve.
* He emphasized the need for focus on cost-of-living issues and delivering "change people can feel".
* The PM's own ratings have plummeted in opinion polls since the 2024 general election, with Reform UK consistently leading the polls.
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