Starmer to warn UK life will ‘get worse’ before it gets ‘better’ in first major PM speech

Starmer, whose Labour Party was elected on July 4, is expected to use Tuesday’s speech to ramp up attacks on legacy left by Conservatives

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Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech during a press conference at 10 Downing street in London on August 1. Photo: Reuters.

Published: 5:50am, 26 Aug 2024

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is poised to warn that life in Britain will “get worse” before it gets “better” on Tuesday, in his first major speech since taking office.

Starmer, whose Labour Party was elected by a landslide on July 4, is expected to use the speech to ramp up attacks on the legacy left by the ousted Conservatives.

His comments come after criticism that Labour is seeking a pretext to raise taxes, despite pre-election promises that certain taxes would not be hiked.

“We have inherited not just an economic black hole but a societal black hole. And that is why we have to take action and do things differently,” Starmer will say, according to excerpts of the speech released in advance.

“Part of that is being honest with people – about the choices we face. And how tough this will be. Frankly – things will get worse before we get better.”

Rachel Reeves, Britain’s finance minister, speaks at the House of Commons in London, Britain on July 29. Photo: UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor / Handout via Reuters

Finance minister Rachel Reeves in recent days warned of “difficult decisions” over whether to cut spending or increase taxes in her first budget on October 30.