British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on members of the Labour Party to unite in opposition to the growing populist threat posed by Reform UK, which is advocating a controversial mass deportation policy he described as racist. This appeal comes amid mounting dissatisfaction with his leadership ahead of the upcoming local and regional elections scheduled for May.
Speaking at Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, Starmer urged party supporters to channel their frustrations towards Reform UK, led by Brexit advocate Nigel Farage, rather than directing criticism at his own administration.
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“We face a critical battle ahead because we must confront Reform UK and defeat them. Now is not the moment for self-reflection or internal disputes,” Starmer told BBC News. “Our strength lies in unity,” emphasized the prime minister, whose popularity has declined due to policy reversals and a series of political blunders.
These remarks follow reports of internal party discussions about replacing Starmer, with Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, a well-regarded figure within Labour, reportedly considering a leadership challenge.
Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands, reporting from Liverpool, noted that Burnham’s potential candidacy is complicated by the requirement that candidates must be sitting Members of Parliament. “It’s not an immediate crisis for Starmer, but if parliamentary seats open up and Burnham secures a position as an MP, that’s when serious concerns will arise,” he explained.
Starmer is also facing pressure to increase government spending and reconsider the party’s self-imposed fiscal rules aimed at balancing the budget by 2029. While left-wing members criticize him for not delivering on promises to improve living standards, centrists worry that increased spending could provoke negative reactions from financial markets.
Amid these challenges, Starmer directed sharp criticism at Farage’s Reform UK, whose platform heavily focuses on immigration control-a key voter concern.
“Targeting illegal migrants who have no right to remain is one thing, and I support that,” Starmer stated. “But to start deporting people lawfully residing here is entirely different. I believe this policy is both racist and unethical.”
Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations Surround Conference Venue
Starmer has also encountered backlash over his stance on the conflict in Gaza, which a United Nations inquiry has labeled as genocide. On the eve of the Labour Party’s conference, hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists marched through Liverpool, demanding that the UK government halt what they describe as Israel’s genocidal actions and cease supplying arms to Israel.
Chanting slogans such as “Brick by brick, wall by wall, Israeli apartheid must fall,” the demonstrators voiced their opposition to the ongoing blockade and military operations in Gaza.
On the conference’s first day, dozens of protesters staged a sit-in, deliberately holding identical banners reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,” fully aware they would be arrested by authorities.
Al Jazeera’s Challands reported counting 72 individuals before police began detaining participants.
“These activists are prepared for arrest, having witnessed repeated crackdowns,” he said.
Challands highlighted that the protest aimed to challenge the UK government’s recent classification of Palestine Action-a direct action group-as a “terrorist” organization.
The government banned the group earlier this year after some members infiltrated a Royal Air Force base and spray-painted military aircraft in protest against UK arms exports to Israel.
Campaigners have called on the British government to stop sending F-35 jet components to Israel, which faces accusations of widespread human rights violations in Gaza.
“Their goal is to embarrass the government on the first day of the Labour conference through mass arrests of peaceful demonstrators,” Challands added.
On the same day, prominent figures urged Starmer to acknowledge Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide. In a video released by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, comedian Steve Coogan declared, “Keir Starmer denies it’s genocide; but it is genocide.”
Upcoming Elections and Political Pressure
Although a general election is not required until 2029, Starmer faces increasing pressure as Labour’s performance in the May local and regional elections will be closely scrutinized.
Labour ended 14 years of Conservative governance with a decisive victory in July 2024, yet Starmer has struggled to maintain public approval. Recent polling by Ipsos reveals that only 13 percent of voters express satisfaction with his government, while 79 percent are dissatisfied-the lowest approval rating for any prime minister since Ipsos began tracking in 1977.
During the conference, Starmer acknowledged the criticism but emphasized that his leadership will be evaluated based on tangible improvements in living standards, enhanced public services, and citizens’ sense of security.
Recent departures from Starmer’s team have further unsettled the party. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned following a tax-related controversy involving a property purchase, and the UK ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, was dismissed after revelations about his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
