Overview

• Addressing Labour members in Liverpool, Keir Starmer cast the political choice as decency versus division and accused Nigel Farage of selling the 'lies of Brexit.'
• Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended strict fiscal rules and warned against loosening them, with an autumn budget expected to force difficult choices on taxes and spending.
• Left‑wing MPs are pressing for policy shifts after earlier welfare reversals, and Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is being floated as a potential alternative, though a serious challenge is described as remote for now.
• Reform UK continues to show strong polling and leverage immigration as a rallying issue, and Starmer now portrays the party as Labour’s principal opponent.
• Recent departures, including Angela Rayner’s resignation and Peter Mandelson’s dismissal, have fueled concerns about competence, and next year’s local and regional elections loom as the next major test.