At the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool, Keir Starmer delivered a fiery speech targeting Nigel Farage and Reform UK, branding Farage as the “enemy of renewal” and asserting a firm commitment to protect the Union flag and British unity. Starmer accused Farage of lacking genuine belief in Britain, contrasting his own vision of a tolerant, pragmatic, and inclusive nation.
Starmer painted a clear divide between Labour’s inclusive patriotism and what he described as Farage’s divisive politics. Delegates waved Welsh, English, Scottish, and Union flags — symbols Starmer insisted belong to everyone, rejecting efforts to use them as tools for division or racism.
“Free speech is a British value,” Starmer stated, “but inciting racist violence and hatred is criminal, not a matter of concern.” He condemned those who associate nationalism with racism, emphasizing that all people who contribute to the country—regardless of heritage—are part of Britain’s fabric. Starmer exclaimed, “If you tell people they can’t be English or British because of their skin color, or suggest deporting those who have lived here for generations, we will fight that with everything we have."
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The Labour leader repeatedly called on attendees to proudly wave the nation’s flags and declared, “We will never surrender them.” He sharply criticized Farage for failing to offer positive plans for Britain’s future, claiming, “He doesn’t like Britain, doesn’t believe in Britain, and wants you to doubt it as much as he does.”
Starmer dismissed Reform UK’s approach as one that profits from grievance and division, warning against turning the country into a “competition of victims.” He also condemned the violent acts during the Southport riots, labeling such behavior as “thuggery” and calling for constructive dialogue on immigration rather than fear-mongering or violence.
The speech was a clear message from Starmer to reaffirm Labour’s vision of a united, fair, and forward-looking Britain standing opposed to divisive and destructive politics.