PM will use speech to plead for backing as he warns of 'a fight for the soul of country'

SIR Keir Starmer will tell supporters they face "a fight for the soul of our country" against the forces of "division" as he battles to save his premiership today.

- Jonathan Walker

In a speech to a Labour conference dominated by speculation about _ his leadership, Sir Keir will plead with activists to back him even when the Government takes decisions “that will not always be comfortable for our party”.

And he will attempt to summon the spirit of Clement Attlee, the Labour Prime Minister who led the reconstruction of Britain following the devastation of the Second World War, claiming the nation faces a challenge “every bit as big”.

But there was further criticism of the Government from Andy Burnham, regarded by some as a potential replacement for Sir Keir, as the Greater Manchester Mayor criticised the Government’s controversial plans for a digital ID card.

The Mayor also told a conference event: “While the Government's done good things, I don’t think it’s come together yet as that powerful story of the future of Britain.”

In his keynote speech to the Labour gathering in Liverpool, Sir Keir will today plead for support, telling activists: “Our path, the path of renewal, it’s long, it’s difficult, it requires decisions that are not cost-free.”

Renewal

He is expected to say: "It is a test. A fight for the soul of our country, every bit as big as rebuilding Britain after the war, and we must all rise to this challenge."