Keir Starmer vows to defend ‘decent and tolerant Britain’

Sir Keir Starmer will attempt to position himself as the defender of a “decent and tolerant Britain”, hours after suffering another blow to his authority when his own MPs forced him into a climbdown over the release of documents related to Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.

- Athena Stavrou, The Independent

Peter Mandelson

With the prime minister facing criticism over his judgement and integrity, and with the full details about the decision to appoint Mandelson still to be published, Sir Keir will attempt to refocus attention on Labour's plans to revive Britain’s communities as he takes aim at those who seek to sow “division and decline”.

Rather than addressing the continued questions over his judgment of the appointment, the prime minister will say he “loves this country” but fears that communities’ “devastating decline” could imperil national security. “It is the greatest country in the world,” he is expected to say. “The progress and prosperity I've seen throughout my life. The journey I've been on, personally from a working-class background to this, I owe everything to this country and its values. I've spent most of my professional life serving them.

“Because I believe in them. I believe in our values. I believe in rules that protect those in need. I believe in the freedom to live and let live in decency and tolerance, in respect for difference under the same flag, a common good.” Sir Keir will use his speech in East Sussex to try to focus attention on the “grievance” he will accuse rival political parties of peddling, before a crunch by-election in Manchester and May's local and devolved parliamentary elections.