In a major speech at Labour conference today, Keir Starmer will say that Britain is at a ‘fork in the road’ as he seeks to set the dividing line between him and Nigel Farage
Keir Starmer will today give a major speech at the Labour Party conference where he will spark hope for the country.
The Prime Minister will say that Britain is at a “fork in the road” as he seeks to set the dividing line between him and Nigel Farage, who has surged in the polls over the last year.
In an appeal to voters, he will tell Labour’s annual gathering in Liverpool: “It is a test. A fight for the soul of our country, every bit as big as rebuilding Britain after the war.”
The PM has faced some criticism that he is fighting the battle with Mr Farage on “Reform’s turf” after a series of policies focusing on migration. But he will tell nervy Labour members that fighting Reform will require “decisions that are not cost-free or easy — decisions that will not always be comfortable for our party”.
And he will offer Brits major policy changes, including a new ‘online hospital’ from 2027, with millions of extra appointments created to slash waits for care. The Prime Minister will declare a “new world is coming” as he unveils the plans in his keynote speech.
Patients will be able to access prescriptions, get referred for scans and tests and receive clinical advice from their own homes. High priority treatments with long waiting lists will be targeted first, with the scheme expanded to more conditions over time.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the plan was about “modernising the NHS” and moving with the times. “Rather than going through your GP, trying to get an appointment there, then being referred on to someone and then going to see them, you will get care far more quickly online, from someone who can help manage your condition,” he said.
The Cabinet minister reassured any Brits who might be worried they won’t get to see a doctor in person, saying the plan will instead free up capacity for people who want to see a medic face-to-face. “Everyone wins from this,” he said.
The PM’s positive plan for the NHS also seeks to draw a line between Labour and Reform, showing that the Government is getting on with the hard work to improve voters’ everyday lives. It comes as Mr Streeting this morning branded Mr Farage’s party “anti-science, anti-reason and anti-health”.
The battle with Mr Farage will be at the heart of Mr Starmer’s speech after the PM took the gloves off at the weekend with an attack on Reform’s “racist” immigration policy. He will use his big moment to urge Labour MPs to unite against the populist right rather than internal struggles after swirling questions about his leadership.
He will say: “No matter how many people tell me it can’t be done, I believe Britain can come together. We can pursue a shared destination. We can unite around a common good. That’s my ambition, the purpose of this Government. End decline, reform our public services, grow our economy from the grassroots.”