Starmer Warns UK Labour of “Fight of Our Lives” as Party Conference Begins

Britain’s ruling Labour Party convened for its annual conference on Sunday, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer striving to reassure anxious MPs that he can lead the party in what he described as the “fight of our lives” against the rising hard-right threat.

Despite leading Labour back to power in July last year, ending 14 years in opposition, Starmer’s tenure has already faced scrutiny due to scandals, policy missteps, and falling poll ratings, raising questions about his long-term leadership.

The four-day conference, held in Liverpool, northwest England, comes amid rumours of a possible leadership challenge and follows two high-profile resignations from government in the wake of embarrassing revelations.

National surveys show Labour lagging behind Reform UK, the anti-immigrant party led by former Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, intensifying pressure on Starmer.

Starmer addressed the conference and told the BBC: “We’ve got the fight of our lives ahead of us, because we’ve got to take on Reform. We’ve got to beat them. The effects will be there for generations.”

He condemned Reform UK’s proposal requiring migrants to reapply for visas under stricter rules as “racist”, warning it would “tear our country apart.”

Ahead of the conference, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves emphasised efforts to negotiate a post-Brexit youth migration deal with the European Union, telling The Times: “An exchange scheme for young workers would be good for the economy, good for growth, and good for business.”

While Starmer has enjoyed some international success—particularly in handling US President Donald Trump and coordinating European support for Ukraine—his first 14 months domestically have been challenging.

• Economic pressures: Britain’s sluggish economy may necessitate a tax-raising budget.
• Policy reversals: Starmer has backtracked on welfare reforms and scrapping energy benefits for millions of pensioners, following backlash from Labour’s left-wing base.
• Immigration issues: Record levels of small boat crossings to England by undocumented migrants are fuelling support for Reform UK.

Starmer’s attempts to reboot his government in early September were overshadowed by several controversies:

1. Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister, resigned over underpayment of property tax, causing political embarrassment.
2. Starmer sacked Peter Mandelson as Britain’s Ambassador in Washington following scrutiny over Mandelson’s friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, raising questions about Starmer’s judgment.

The conference, which concludes on Wednesday, is therefore taking place amid internal discontent, rising external political challenges, and scrutiny over Starmer’s ability to stabilise his government ahead of the next electoral battles.