Keir Starmer has urged Red Wall voters to “take another look” at Labour under his leadership, while saying the government is “not up to the job” of running the country.
The Labour leader’s remark followed his first major speech of 2022, in which he spoke of ministers’ “incompetence” and set out Labour’s vision for a future guided by “security, prosperity and respect”.
His address in Birmingham on Tuesday morning came as his party leads the Conservatives in the polls, following the sleaze scandals that gripped the government at the end of last year.
Mr Starmer said that the Tories are “unworthy” of the public’s trust, given its handling of issues such as the cost of living crisis.
“I am well aware that just because the Tories lose the public’s trust it doesn’t mean Labour simply inherits it. Trust has to be earned. I am confident but not complacent about the task ahead,” he added.
Ahead of his speech, Oliver Dowden, the Conservative party chairman, dismissed Mr Starmer’s remarks as "out of touch".
