During the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Sir Keir Starmer delivered a pivotal address, characterizing the present moment as a 'defining choice' for the UK's future and 'a fight for the soul of our country'. His speech marked an escalation in Labour's efforts to combat the growing threat posed by Reform UK and its leader, Nigel Farage, particularly as Labour navigates challenging poll numbers.

Sir Keir launched a strong attack on Nigel Farage, accusing him of lacking belief in Britain and actively disliking the nation. He condemned figures like Farage as 'snake oil merchants' who, regardless of their political alignment, thrive on decline and grievance rather than fostering national renewal. Starmer explicitly questioned when Farage had last expressed a positive outlook for Britain's future, asserting that Farage's agenda is to sow doubt and turn a 'proud, self-reliant country' into a 'competition of victims'.

Labour's criticism extended to specific policy proposals by Reform UK, notably their plan to revoke the rights of some legal migrants in Britain. Sir Keir unequivocally labeled this proposal as 'racist' and 'immoral', signaling a strong moral opposition to such policies.

Amidst the broader political discourse at the conference, an underlying narrative involving Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also emerged. Ministers had made several critical remarks about Burnham throughout the week, with Rachel Reeves even drawing comparisons between him and Liz Truss following his comments on government borrowing. Although Burnham claimed he was misquoted, the controversy fueled speculation about a potential leadership challenge against Sir Keir. This failure to adequately address the rumours reportedly 'pi**ed' off some within the party.

While the internal party discussions around Burnham were significant, Sir Keir's keynote speech demonstrated a clear strategic focus. He subtly cautioned against 'unfunded tax cuts' and 'unfunded spending', and referenced those selling 'snake oil on the right and the left', which some observers interpreted as indirect allusions to Burnham. However, the overwhelming emphasis of Starmer's address was a direct confrontation with Nigel Farage.

Sir Keir powerfully articulated his vision for Britain, countering the negativity he attributed to Farage. He proclaimed, "It is a great country. It will always be a great country. A decent, pragmatic, tolerant, reasonable country that throughout history has stood its ground stuck by its values and built its future without fuss." He vowed to fight for "A nation of resolve. A land of respect. A Britain built for all," underscoring his commitment to a positive and unified national identity.

In conclusion, Sir Keir Starmer explicitly chose to make Nigel Farage and Reform UK his primary battleground, repositioning the political debate around patriotism and national identity. This strategic move aimed to rally support for Labour's positive vision for the country against what he framed as Farage's divisive and negative rhetoric. Separately, a public poll conducted concurrently asked readers whether VAT should be added to private healthcare costs; out of 6,000 votes, 86 percent opposed the idea, while 14 percent supported it.