RENEW YEAR'S DAY

PM's pledge.. and the girl of nine who inspired it

- BY LIZZY BUCHAN Political Editor

AHEAD of a year which could define his time as Prime Minister, Keir Starmer reveals the words of a nine-year-old girl that made it clear why he must succeed.

Writing in the Mirror, Mr Starmer says 2026 can be the year hope returns to the nation.

And he recalls the moment a Scottish schoolgirl helped to open his eyes to the real struggle facing British families.

On a visit to Downing Street, she gave him a letter which said: "Scotland is one of the wealthiest countries on the planet yet one in three children in our country lives in poverty."

She told the PM that poor children could be forced to wear clothes that don't fit and risk being made fun of while struggling to afford school trips and other opportunities their better-off classmates enjoy.

Addressing Mr Starmer, she added: "You're one of the most capable people to fix this terrible situation. Wouldn't you love to look out your window and see happy, healthy children with clean clothes walking to school every day with their friends? Or would you like to see them tired and hungry every day?"

In his message to Mirror readers, Mr Starmer writes: "It was moving to see such perception from a child. And shocking to think that the vast majority of children growing up in poverty in Britain today come from working families.

But he insisted the years of decline under the Tories could be reversed - and everyone could enjoy opportunity and pride once more.

He added: "There is a word for that we've forgotten in politics recently - hope.

"This is the year we can rediscover it.