Britain faces a “defining choice” between “decency” and “division”, Sir Keir Starmer will warn, as the prime minister delivers his speech to the Labour Party conference on Tuesday.
Sir Keir is expected to use his annual address to expand his attacks on Reform UK, now regarded by Labour as the primary threat to its re-election prospects.
Last week, the prime minister told a gathering of progressives in London that the UK faced a “battle for the soul” of the country, a theme he will repeat in Liverpool, where he has already described Reform’s immigration policy as “racist”.
He will say: “We can all see our country faces a choice, a defining choice. Britain stands at a fork in the road.
“We can choose decency. Or we can choose division. Renewal or decline.
“A country, proud of its values, in control of its future, or one that succumbs, against the grain of our history, to the politics of grievance.”
Sir Keir’s speech comes at a challenging moment for the prime minister, who faces questions about his leadership and speculation about a challenge from Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage’s party continues to enjoy a comfortable advantage in the polls, and Labour faces a battle to keep its promises on taxation, spending and immigration.
