Sir Keir Starmer has doubled-down on his pledge to deliver change as the Prime Minister used his New Year’s address to pay tribute to Britain’s World War Two heroes.
During his first New Year’s address since entering No10, the Prime Minister reiterated his plans to deliver change, ranging from building 1.5 million new homes to cutting NHS waiting lists.
Despite discussing the need to “fight for change”, Starmer did not address more controversial measures from the first few months of his premiership.
Labour was rocked in the opinion polls after removing Winter Fuel Payments from 10 million pensioners.
Keir Starmer doubles-down on pledge to deliver change as PM pays tribute to WW2 heroes in New Year’s address
NO10
Starmer also faced a backlash for slapping farmers with a 20 per cent inheritance tax levy and for failing to compensate Waspi women.
However, the Prime Minister opened his New Year’s address with a quip about England’s Euro 2024 heartbreak against Spain before turning his attention to more serious matters at home.
Speaking from Downing Street, the Prime Minister said: “2024 was a year of change. Not, sadly, in the football – with another agonisingly close shave for England.
“But change in politics, with the election of this Labour Government in July. And more importantly, with the work of change that we have begun. The minimum wage will be raised by a record amount. Wages are up more broadly. Returns of foreign national criminals – up 20 per cent. Billions of pounds worth of new projects in clean British energy making our country more secure. And over £25billion invested in our NHS starting to cut waiting lists in your local hospital.
“Now, I know there is still so much more to do. And that for many people it’s hard to think about the future when you spend all of your time fighting to get through the week. So I want to be clear. Until you can look forward and believe in the promise and the prosperity of Britain again, then this Government will fight for you.
“A fight for change that will define this year, next year, and indeed – every waking hour of this Government. We have a clear Plan for Change. 1.5 million new homes – restoring the dream of home ownership. Children starting school, ready to learn. A more secure energy system. Waiting lists cut dramatically. Immigration – reduced. Neighbourhood police, tackling anti-social behaviour in every community. And more cash in your pocket, wherever you live.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Keir Starmer won the 2024 General ElectionPA“That is what we will be focusing on. A year of rebuilding. But also – rediscovering the great nation that we are. A nation that gets things done. No matter how hard or tough the circumstances. We will have time to reflect on that this year. A chance, with the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ day. To cherish the greatest victories of this country. And the greatest generation that achieved it.
“May 8 and August 15 will both be wonderful moments, to come together and do that generation proud. But that victory – and indeed the peace and the prosperity that followed all rested on that same foundation we must rebuild today.
“The security of working people. That is the purpose of this Government. The goal of our Plan for Change. And we will push it forward in 2025. So, wherever and however you’re celebrating tonight, on behalf of the Government, Happy New Year. Here’s to a year of changing Britain for the better.”
The Prime Minister suffered a family tragedy over the festive period following news about the death of his brother Nick on Boxing Day.
Starmer hailed his brother as a “wonderful man” and revealed the family will “miss him very much”.
The tragic loss of his brother delayed Starmer’s plans to join his family for a holiday in Madeira.
Keir Starmer delivering his speech at Labour Party conference
PA
Despite devoloping a reputation for being a globe-trotting Prime Minister, the trip marked Starmer’s first holiday since entering power in July.
Starmer was forced to cancel another planned getaway following a spate of riots across England and Northern Ireland in the summer.
The Prime Minister faces a difficult challenge when he returns to the UK, with a debate on a petition calling for an immediate General Election pencilled in for Westminster Hall on January 6.
Opinion polls suggest Starmer’s support has tanked since he romped to victory in the 2024 General Election.
A recent More in Common MRP poll found that Labour would likely lose large swathes of seats, reducing Starmer’s party from 411 to just 228.
Kemi Badenoch would likely oversee a Tory revival, taking the Conservative rump from 121 to 222.
Nigel Farage delivered his New Year address from Blenheim PalaceNIGEL FARAGEThe poll also boosted Nigel Farage’s plan to lead a revolt, with Reform UK likely increasing its Commons contingent from just five to 72 if a General Election was held today.
During his own New Year’s address released earlier today, Farage said: “We want to make this country prouder. We want to make our borders secure. We want to make our people better off. And that message is resonating. Over the course of Christmas, tens of thousands of people have joined Reform UK. And there is a buzz. There is an energy.
“There is an optimism. We’re not negative. Yes, we know the other lot made an absolute mess of it. That Labour and Conservative are virtually the uni-party. We believe we can turn this country around by 180 degrees and make Britain a much better place.”
Farage echoed Starmer’s references to the Second World War by delivering his address at Winston Churchill’s birthplace, Blenheim Palace.
He added: “I think what Reform offers for 2025 is exciting. I know it is because the other parties are going absolutely mad. They’re throwing accusations around that I have no doubt that’ll get tougher throughout the course of 2025. But we know what we believe in.”
Kemi Badenoch
CONSERVATIVE PARTY
Badenoch also released a short New Year’s message earlier today.
The Leader of the Opposition focused her 2025 message on continuing to “renew” the Conservative Party following the outcome of the last General Election.
She said: “Happy New Year. Like all of you, I am looking forward to a 2025 that is full of hope, security and prosperity.
“The Conservative Party is also going through a period of change. This process of renewal will be a long-term project.
“Things may be bumpy along the way, but the party I now lead is going to do things differently. Watch this space.”