A defiant Sir Keir Starmer has faced down plotters who want to bring him down and told GB News he wants to be Prime Minister until 2034.
The PM has been rocked in recent weeks amid claims that backbench MPs want to replace him with a rival such as Wes Streeting, Shabana Mahmood or Ed Miliband.
Allies of the PM have made clear Sir Keir would fight any leadership challenge.
Earlier this week, Sir Keir gave an interview to the Labour-supporting Daily Mirror to say that he would fight the next general election as leader.
However, speaking to GB News’ Political Editor Christopher Hope on the margins of the G20 summit in South Africa, Sir Keir reiterated his pledge at the election to be PM for a decade, which means he would remain as PM until 2034 when he is 72 if an election is held in 2029.
Asked whether he will serve a full second term if he leads Labour to a second election victory, Sir Keir said: “Yes, I’ve always said this is a decade of national renewal. I know that we were elected on a mandate of change.
“That change is bearing down on the cost of living. Do people feel better off? It’s making sure that public services are turned around, and our NHS in particular, and people feel safe and secure in their community.
“I’ll be judged on that in the next election, quite rightly, by the electorate, and every day, that is what I focus on.”
The Prime Minister laid down the gauntlet to his rivals
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GB NEWS
Former deputy leader Angela Rayner is reportedly laying the groundwork for a leadership challenge against Sir Keir.
The former deputy prime minister and housing secretary is already offering Cabinet roles to MPs in exchange for their support, The Sunday Telegraph reported.
A source familiar with Ms Rayner’s moves told the newspaper she was “on manoeuvres” and was “getting her ducks in a row” for a leadership bid, adding: “The unions will back her and help her.”
Allies of Ms Rayner dismissed the claims, insisting that she was “focused on representing her local community”.
Angela Rayner resigned as deputy prime minister over her stamp duty row
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PASir Keir met with South African president Cyril Ramaphosa after touching down in Johannesburg on Friday.
The PM said it was “really important to be” at the gathering shunned by Donald Trump and announced deals worth £400million for trains, planes and submarines.
Downing Street defended Sir Keir’s trip to South Africa, which comes days before Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce tax rises in her second Budget.
The Prime Minister sat down with Christopher Hope from GB News
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REUTERS
Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping are also among the leaders skipping the multilateral forum, which is designed to bring together the world’s leading economies.
Chinese premier Li Qiang is set to take Mr Xi’s place, but Sir Keir declined to say whether they will meet.
Sir Keir insisted he would “robustly” protect Britain’s national interests in response to speculation he will visit China early next year and the country’s controversial super-embassy in London was approved.
The PM also defended his approach to dealing with Beijing, which was to “co-operate where we can and challenge where we must, particularly on national security”.
Additional reporting by George Bunn.