What did Keir Starmer say in last chance' speech to save his premiership?

"Yes, there was a lot of passion, and a lot of talk about fighting on. But the only policy offerings were either not new a youth experience scheme as part of a reset with the EU or already effectively the case, as with the announcement that British Steel will be nationalised. If Starmer sceptics in Labour are to be mollified, there is an argument that he needed to produce a Flemish giant-sized rabbit from his metaphorical hat something to make them sit up and think: oh, maybe this time things are different. But he did not."

"Asked directly after his speech if he would fight any challenge to his leadership, Starmer said he would. He repeatedly set out the argument that any attempt to remove him would be deeply damaging to both Labour and the country more widely. I take responsibility for not walking away, not plunging our country into chaos as the Tories did time and again, he said. This is an argument that many Labour MPs understand and have some sympathy with."

"So to the decision about whether or not Andy Burnham would be allowed to give up his Greater Manchester mayoralty and fight for a Westminster seat and then, very possibly, challenge Starmer. The prime minister is sticking to the line from earlier this year when Burnham sought permission to fight the Gorton and Denton byelection and was blocked by Starmer loyalists on the party's national executive committee (NEC). Labour went on to lose the previously safe seat, coming third to the Greens and Reform."

"Burnham allies, of whom there are quite a few among Labour MPs, will be both despairing and furious at this answer. This was, as it were, Starmer unleashe"

The speech delivered strong passion and a commitment to fight, but offered limited policy novelty. Proposed measures included a youth experience scheme tied to a reset with the EU and a plan to nationalise British Steel, which was already effectively expected. Starmer argued that removing him would damage both Labour and the country, emphasizing responsibility for avoiding chaos after repeated Tory failures. Some Labour MPs sympathize with this reasoning, but election losses have increased doubts and a willingness to consider alternatives. Andy Burnham’s request to give up his Greater Manchester mayoralty to run for Westminster, potentially challenging Starmer, was denied. The decision followed earlier blocking of Burnham’s attempt to contest a byelection, after which Labour lost a previously safe seat to the Greens and Reform.

Read at www.theguardian.com