Sir Keir Starmer has accused Reform UK leader Nigel Farage of threatening Britain’s “patriotic values” as the Prime Minister claimed Labour can still win the next general election.
Pressure is mounting on Sir Keir following a series of bombshell revelations about Lord Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s Ambassador to the US.
Labour MPs have started turning against the Prime Minister, with the Westminster rumour mill now rife with speculation about Sir Keir’s future.
Calls for Sir Keir to resign triggered the Prime Minister to gather his closest allies at his country retreat Chequers on Friday.
However, Sir Keir is now looking ahead to the 2029 General Election and attempting to make the contest a straight contest between Labour and Reform UK.
When asked by The Times if Labour can win the next election, the Prime Minister said: “I think we can.”
Turning his guns towards Mr Farage, Sir Keir added: “I think it’s going to be a very important general election.
“It’s likely to be Labour versus Reform. An election where the defining question is, what is it to be British?
SIr Keir Starmer used ‘patriotic values’ as a line of distinction with Nigel Farage
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“An election where what I would call ‘patriotic values’ of tolerance, decency, live and let live, diversity, are under challenge like we’ve never seen before.”
However, the Reform UK leader questioned Sir Keir’s patriotic credentials following the Prime Minister’s St George’s Day message.
In a video released on social media, Mr Farage accused Sir Keir of being a “fraud” over his support for the flag of St George.
The Clacton MP, who was wearing an English rose and St George’s cross waistcoat, added: “This Prime Minister, this Labour Government, are the least patriotic we’ve ever had leading our country.”
Nigel Farage lashed out at Sir Keir Starmer on St George’s Day
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Opinion polls suggest Reform UK is still ahead of Labour with the clock ticking down to the 2026 Local Elections.
YouGov puts Reform UK 10 per cent clear on 27 per cent, with Labour now in fourth place behind the Tories and Green Party.
Sir Keir is under increasing pressure from his own backbench MPs to step down amid concerns Labour could suffer an electoral bloodbath on May 7.
Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash told GB News he was in favour of the Prime Minister resigning.
Sir Keir Starmer vowed to confront those who ‘try to hijack our flag to spread hate’ | GETTY
Veteran MP Graham Stringer suggested Sir Keir should set out a timetable for his departure from Downing Street.
However, St George’s Day also raised some questions for Labour on the issue of patriotism.
Mr Brash, who had called for Sir Keir to resign just hours before, told GB News: “At times, parts of the left have been too hesitant to talk about nation, identity, and pride and that’s been a mistake.
“Because patriotism, properly understood, is about service, contribution, and responsibility to one another.
Nigel Farage has issued a challenge to Labour and The Green Party | GETTY
“Labour’s history shows that clearly. We are the party that built the NHS, backed our armed forces, and helped shape the international alliances that keep us secure. That’s something we should be confident in saying.”
However, in a direct challenge to Mr Farage, the former teacher added: “Patriotism isn’t owned by any one party and it certainly doesn’t belong to Nigel Farage or Reform UK.
“If you believe in the NHS, if you believe in backing our armed forces, if you believe in giving every child a fair chance, then you’re expressing a form of patriotism.
“Because that’s about wanting your country to succeed and your fellow citizens to thrive.”