Starmer’s fight for survival is only just beginning
Craig Davidson, Associate Director30/09/2025
A rare good day — but Starmer’s fight for survival is only just beginning
Keir Starmer needed to give a big speech this week.
He hasn’t had many good days since becoming Prime Minister, and he’s had plenty of bad ones of late.
So he will be a happy man today.
Confident. Thoughtful. Personal. Authentic.
Not words people often reach for to describe Starmer’s speeches but he was all of these things today.
Despite the polls, Labour Party Conference has been strangely chipper as members and politicians unite against two enemies - Reform Leader Nigel Farage and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Starmer’s would-be usurper.
It gave the Prime Minister the space to position himself as the reasonable grown-up between the poles of left and right.
He did it well.
His best moments were when talking about ordinary people - the Hillsborough campaigners, the care workers, the shipyard workers - affording them a respect and even a deference not many politicians are capable of.
There were policies - an online hospital and promotion of apprenticeships - but this was not the point. This was a speech about values and points of difference with his critics.
What does it all mean? Well, Starmer has had a better week than Burnham and set clear dividing lines with Farage, showing a confidence to take him squarely on.
But there was no hint of how he will square the budget circle he faces next month or turn the polls around before elections next May.
If he is to survive these challenges to come, he will need many more days like today.
He hasn’t had many good days since becoming Prime Minister, and he’s had plenty of bad ones of late.
So he will be a happy man today.
Confident. Thoughtful. Personal. Authentic.
Not words people often reach for to describe Starmer’s speeches but he was all of these things today.
Despite the polls, Labour Party Conference has been strangely chipper as members and politicians unite against two enemies - Reform Leader Nigel Farage and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Starmer’s would-be usurper.
It gave the Prime Minister the space to position himself as the reasonable grown-up between the poles of left and right.
He did it well.
His best moments were when talking about ordinary people - the Hillsborough campaigners, the care workers, the shipyard workers - affording them a respect and even a deference not many politicians are capable of.
There were policies - an online hospital and promotion of apprenticeships - but this was not the point. This was a speech about values and points of difference with his critics.
What does it all mean? Well, Starmer has had a better week than Burnham and set clear dividing lines with Farage, showing a confidence to take him squarely on.
But there was no hint of how he will square the budget circle he faces next month or turn the polls around before elections next May.
If he is to survive these challenges to come, he will need many more days like today.
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