SIR Keir Starmer has dismissed criticism as “water off a duck’s back” as he used his first Labour conference speech in power vowing to “take back control” of borders and benefits.
The PM promised to act on the concerns of Brexit voters and blamed the Tories for failing them on immigration and crime.
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He insisted he understood their genuine fears but lashed out at the “violent racist thugs” who rioted last summer.
Pledging to create a “Britain built to last”, he stressed urgency in tackling the spiralling welfare bill to get more jobless Brits in work.
He also promised a “homes for heroes” scheme to stop brave veterans living in squalor.
Sir Keir went into his keynote address in Liverpool battling rows over winter fuel cuts, freebies and hostile leaks against his chief of staff Sue Gray.
It has seen his popularity ratings tumble 28 points among Labour voters since entering No10 on July 5.
Attempting to shrug off the saga, Sir Keir told a packed hall: “All those shouts and bellows.
“The bad faith advice from people who still hanker for the politics of noisy performance. The weak and cowardly politics of fanaticism.
‘It’s water off a duck’s back. Mere glitter on a shirt cuff. It has never distracted me before. It won’t distract me now.”
It was a reference to last year’s speech when a protester stormed the stage and covered him in glitter.
He even revealed listening to classical music to calm him down during the tough times.
In his 45-minute address, the PM:
- Promised pensioners would be “better off” under Labour despite losing winter fuel payments.
- Said he would never let “violent racist thugs” terrorise communities as they did in the summer.
- But warned he is “not relaxed” about bosses hiring from abroad when “millions of young people are desperate to work.
- Blamed the Tories for letting migration run wild and vowed to “take back control”.
- Announced the new GB Energy company will be based in Aberdeen’s Granite City.
- Mistakenly demanded the “return of the sausages” instead of Israeli hostages.
- Promised the Hillsborough Law will be introduced before the next anniversary in April 2025.
The Labour leader once again aped the language of Brexit with a promise to “take back control” – and leaned into centre-right idea.
“It’s about control of migration. It’s always been about control. That is what people have voted for time and again. They weren’t just ignored after Brexit.
“The Tories gave them the exact opposite, an immigration system deliberately reformed to reduce control. Because in the end, they are the party of the uncontrolled market.
“Now, don’t get me wrong, markets are dynamic. Competition is a vital life force in our economy. This is a Labour party proud to say that we work hand in hand with business.
Speech that sets the tone for Labour’s first chapter
by Ryan Sabey, Deputy Political Editor
Sir Keir Starmer has endured a torrid few weeks in the job he has craved.
This was a reset moment that – for an hour or so at least – he could put the troubles of freebiegate and Sue Gray’s salary behind him.
It was a greatest hits run out that will please many of those who voted for him for the first time.
Stronger borders as a priority and fixing the foundations of the economy are essential for the long-term benefit of the country.
But there may be some anger among Labour ranks when he spoke of plugging the £22 billion black hole.
It won’t just fall on the shoulders of the better off in society as this is a “shared struggle”, he said.
He even said – to coin a phrase – that “we are all in it together”.
The decision to axe winter fuel allowance for millions of pensioners is just one decision he didn;t shy away from.
That brought about a few groans in the hall as ex-Tory Chancellor George Osborne echoed this phrase during the austerity years.
A crackdown on benefits and the welfare bill will be unveiled at the Budget and it won’t be pretty.
This speech was setting the tone for the first phase of this Labour government.
Short-term pain for long-term gain.
Folks, it’s time to buckle up.
“But markets don’t give in control – that’s almost literally their point.
“So if you want a country with more control, if you want the great forces that affect your community to be better managed, whether that’s migration, climate change, law and order or security at work, then that does mean more decisive government, and that is a Labour argument. Taking back control is a Labour argument.
Sir Keir made a direct appeal to the 10million pensioners who have lost their winter fuel payments as part of Rachel Reeves’ attempts to balance the books.
The decision has sparked huge uproar from campaigners, unions and even some Labour MPs in open defiance.
Confronting the backlash, the PM said: “Perhaps because you’re concerned about the winter fuel allowance, then I get that.
“As I say, if this path were popular or easy we would have walked it already.”
He added: “Every pensioner in this country, every pensioner, will be better off with Labour.”
One new announcement in the policy-light speech was that all veterans in need of housing will be found somewhere to live.
Sir Keir said veteran homelessness is a scandal hiding “in plain sight” on Britain’s streets.
He 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.”
Sir Keir has also pledged a blitz on benefits as part of plans to get jobless Brits back to work.
He said: “We will get the welfare bill down because we will tackle long-term sickness and support people back to work. We will make every penny work for you because we will root out waste and go after tax avoiders.”
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