🇬🇧 “Farage Doesn’t Believe in Britain”: Starmer’s Defining Rebuke at Labour Conference
In a bold keynote address at the 2025 Labour Party Conference, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer launched a direct attack on Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, accusing him of undermining national unity and exploiting division for political gain.
🗣️ Starmer’s Message: A Fork in the Road
Starmer declared Britain stands at a “defining choice” between decency and division, framing Labour as the party of national renewal. He said:
“He doesn’t like Britain, doesn’t believe in Britain, wants you to doubt it as much as he does… They want to turn this proud, self-reliant country into a competition of victims.” source: Yahoo News
The speech marked a strategic pivot, reclaiming patriotic rhetoric and challenging Farage’s influence over immigration and sovereignty debates.
📊 Political Context
- Labour faces internal dissent and declining poll numbers, with Reform UK outperforming in key constituencies.
- Starmer’s approval ratings have hit historic lows, prompting calls for a more assertive stance against populist narratives.
- The speech follows criticism that Labour had been too passive in confronting Farage’s messaging.
🔥 Farage Responds
Farage called the speech a “desperate last throw of the dice,” accusing Starmer of being “unfit to lead the country.” The clash underscores a growing ideological battle over Britain’s future—between progressive renewal and nationalist grievance.
🧭 What’s Next?
Starmer’s rhetoric signals a renewed effort to:
- Reclaim patriotic identity from the far-right
- Defend public services and workers’ rights
- Position Labour as the party of constructive reform, not reactive populism
