STARMER SERVES UP VISION FOR BRITAIN

PITCHES FOR CENTRE GROUND WITH PLEDGE FOR 'HOPE, ASPIRATION AND HOMEOWNERSHIP'

- Nicholas Cecil and David Bond

SIR Keir Starmer today unveiled his vision for a first-term Labour government of "hope, aspiration and home ownership" as he planted his party's flag firmly in the centre-ground of British politics.

The Labour leader vowed to build a "fairer, greener, more dynamic nation" if he gains the keys to No10 in a historic political shift after the party's 2019 general election disaster. "As in 1945, 1964, 1997, this is a Labour moment," he was set to say in his keynote speech to the party's annual conference in Liverpool.

With Britain rocked by a currency crisis and a tax and debt storm, he was due to add: "The next Labour government must restore our sense of collective hope. It's time for Britain to stand tall again, to believe in ourselves again, to chart a new course and to get our future back."

With many of the Labour faithful believing for the first time in years that they are on the brink of a return to power, Sir Keir stressed the need to be "prepared, disciplined and focused" for the looming election battle.

But in an at times deeply personal speech, he also gave a glimpse of what he sees Labour could achieve in office. "So imagine we are looking back at the first term of the next Labour government. How is Britain different?" he was due to say. "We've defeated the cost-of-living crisis and the clouds of anxiety have lifted. Services are there when you need them. Our economy is stable again. Business has the certainty to invest. The NHS is back in good health. Britain is fairer... There's more opportunity, more affordable housing, fairer taxes, higher wages, jobs - more secure. Families can aspire again. Look forward with hope, again. 

"We're leading the world on climate change... New jobs, industries, technologies benefit all parts of the country.

"We're proving net-zero can be achieved, the most precious gift to the next generation is within our grasp, a safer, more prosperous world to live in."