Keir Starmer’s growth message: the antidote to division
Keir Starmer is positioning economic growth as the central answer to a country he says is at risk of pulling apart. In a speech planned for the Labour conference in Liverpool, he will insist that growth can be the force that unites communities and raises living standards, but only if the benefits reach all parts of the country. His line is blunt: growth can either build a nation or pull it apart, depending on who gains and where those gains land.
Starmer has come under pressure from within Labour to adopt bolder, more radical economic policies. Yet the early preview of his address frames growth not as a luxury but as a practical tool to “face down” a volatile world and protect households from external shocks. He will argue that the economy must be built from the ground up, with prosperity spreading beyond a narrow elite and across every region.
Growth that reaches the grassroots
The prime minister is expected to describe growth as the “pound in your pocket” — a simple, tangible measure of progress that translates into more trips, meals out, and everyday security. He will press the point that an economy that grows from the grassroots is more likely to deliver durable national renewal. The aim is a message that links macro policy to the daily lives of voters, a tactic designed to reassure Labour MPs and members who have grown frustrated with a more cautious tone on fiscal matters.
Economic battles ahead: the budget and the right tone
Rapidly rising economic headwinds mean the government faces a tight fiscal backdrop ahead of next month’s budget. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is confronting the prospect of finding up to £30 billion in tax rises or spending cuts, with the Office for Budget Responsibility expected to trim productivity growth forecasts. In Liverpool, Reeves signalled a willingness to raise gambling taxes, arguing there is merit in asking those with stronger balance sheets to contribute more during tough times.
Senior government figures, including Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, signalled that Labour’s manifesto commitments may not be immune from scrutiny. Jones refused to rule out or in tax changes entirely, underscoring the broader reality that policy choices will be tested by a fragile economy. Reeves, for her part, urged the party to “have faith” that improvements will come, even as she warned against abandoning fiscal discipline in pursuit of public spending.
Unity, division, and the Labour debate
The conference has also seen internal tension around how to balance ambition with responsibility. Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, signalled tough measures to manage borders, implying that security and rights considerations may require difficult political choices in the short term. In parallel, Andy Burnham — the Greater Manchester mayor with leadership ambitions — defended measured borrowing but warned against pretending solutions can materialise without cost. He argued for credible fiscal rules while leaving room for prudent, targeted investment that demonstrably reduces current pressures.
Starmer’s address will frame Britain with a stark binary: decency versus division, renewal versus decline. He is expected to invoke the memory of the postwar era as a reminder that tough choices can be necessary to secure a better future. The underlying message is clear: the path chosen now will determine whether growth lifts all boats or aggravates disparities across regions and communities.
What this means for Labour’s future
With Ipsos polls showing a challenging popularity landscape, Starmer is seeking to solidify his authority and present a compelling future story. The speech is less about dramatic policy revolutions and more about framing the debate around growth-led renewal and economic security for ordinary families. If Labour can marry ambition with credible stewardship, the party hopes to convert a difficult fiscal moment into a narrative of national rejuvenation, built on a fairer distribution of prosperity and a unified response to external threats.
Conclusion: a defining fork in the road
As the conference unfolds, the question remains whether Labour can translate the rhetoric of growth into measurable improvements for households across the country. Starmer’s emphasis on the antidote-to-division argument suggests a deliberate attempt to reassert leadership and chart a path through a challenging political landscape. The coming weeks will test whether growth can deliver the promised social cohesion and the tangible improvements that voters expect from a government seeking to renew Britain.
