Battle for UK's soul

Starmer declares next election will be 'open fight' with Farage

- BY LIZZY BUCHAN Political Editor and DAVE BURKE Political Correspondent

KEIR Starmer declared yesterday that the next election will be an “open fight” between Labour and Reform, and warned of a “battle for the soul" of Britain.

The Prime Minister said his party is no longer up against the flailing Tories but is in a contest with Nigel Farage's hardliners.

Laying out the stark terms of the challenge ahead as he prepares for a critical party conference, he said: "For us, it's about repairing the damage done under the last government but rebuilding in a way which embraces and takes on the battle for the soul of the country. Because we're going to face a very different election next time. That's why I want this to be out as an open fight now between Labour and Reform."