Farage doesn't believe in Britain, Starmer tells Labour conference

"Sir Keir Starmer has launched an all-out attack on Nigel Farage's "politics of grievance", claiming the Reform UK leader did not believe in Britain. The prime minister sought to contrast his vision of a "tolerant, decent, respectful Britain" with what he said was the Reform UK leader's desire to stir division and talk the country down, in a speech to the Labour Party conference."

"Sir Keir came to Liverpool facing questions about his leadership, with Labour trailing Reform in the polls and his personal ratings at a record low. The speech had been billed as an attempt to define what he stands for - and he spoke about his working class background and plans for "national renewal". But he was at his most animated when attacking Farage, who he sees as Labour's biggest threat at the next general election."

"He questioned whether Farage and Reform love "our beautiful, tolerant, diverse country" or whether they just want to "stir the pot of division because that's what works for their interests". "When was the last time you heard Nigel Farage say anything positive about Britain's future?" he asked. "He can't. He doesn't like Britain, doesn't believe in Britain. Wants you to doubt it as much as he does and so he resorts to grievance.""

"Picking up on a favourite Farage theme, he said: "I just do not accept that Britain is broken," as he highlighted investments in high tech industries and the actions of community volunteers. He stopped short of repeating his accusation, made on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, that Farage's immigration policies are "racist". But he vowed to fight racist rhetoric "with everything we have". "Free speech is a British value - we've guarded it for centuries. But if you incite racist violence and hatred, that's not expressing concern - it's criminal.""

An attack branded the 'politics of grievance' portrays a rival as unwilling to believe in Britain and seeking to stir division. A vision of a tolerant, decent, respectful Britain is presented in contrast to rhetoric that talks the country down. Polls show Labour trailing Reform and leadership approval is low. Working-class background and plans for 'national renewal' are emphasized. The argument highlights investments in high-tech industries and community volunteers as evidence Britain is not broken. The approach stops short of labeling rival immigration policies racist but vows to fight racist rhetoric and says inciting racial violence is criminal.

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