Starmer Says Defeat Hurt but Promises He’ll Fight to Stay On

Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain tried on Monday to quell a mutiny in his governing Labour Party, rejecting growing demands that he resign and promising to lower the cost of living, and to move Britain closer to Europe. In a speech in London, Mr. Starmer acknowledged the anger expressed by voters last week when they overwhelmingly rejected Labour Party candidates for municipal council seats across England and in elections for the Scottish and Welsh parliaments. “That hurts and it should hurt,” he said. “I get it. I feel it. And I take responsibility.” But he also vowed to stay in his job, saying a change in leadership would mean chaos for the country and making reference to the succession of prime ministers from the Conservative Party, known as the Tories, in the years before Labour had won the general election in 2024. “I take responsibility for not walking away,” he vowed. “Not plunging our country into chaos, as the Tories did time and again. Chaos that did lasting damage to this country. A Labour government would never be forgiven for inflicting that on our country again.” In a white button-down shirt with no tie or jacket, Mr. Starmer, who is often described as a wooden speaker, offered moments of emotion, voicing both contrition for his mistakes and a commitment to Labour values. He talked about his late brother, who had had learning difficulties and struggled to stay employed, and his sister, who he said worked long hours for little pay, to emphasize his belief that he understood ordinary voters’ frustration. But he offered only vague descriptions of his new agenda, which mostly appeared to restate his existing approach. He repeated his desire to move the country closer to Europe, but offered few specifics as to how that would happen. He said he would continue making it easier for young people to find jobs. He called hate and division “nothing less than a battle for the soul of our nation.” Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.