Summary

  • Labour would raise the "healthiest generation that's ever lived" through "fundamental and deep reform" of the NHS, the shadow health secretary says

  • Speaking at the last day of the Labour Party conference, Wes Streeting pledged to come down on the vaping industry "like a tonne of bricks"

  • And he said Britain's NHS would no longer be seen as the "sick man of Europe"

  • Earlier Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC he was prepared to "ignore" local opposition and "bulldoze" planning rules to get more homes built in England

  • He promised "a new generation of Labour new towns" and 1.5 million new homes in a speech at the conference in Liverpool on Tuesday

  • His conference address - possibly his last before the next general election - was interrupted by a protester covering him with glitter

  1. Starmer says Hamas has committed 'cold-blooded murder' in Israelpublished at 08:20 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    The first question to Starmer on Today is about whether he would urge restraining in Israel.

    He says what we've seen in the last few days is "terrorism" by Hamas, with the "cold-blooded" murder of people, including women and children.

    Noting Israel has the right to defend itself, Starmer adds that there is an issue with Hamas holding hostages in Gaza.

    Starmer says his colleagues, like the leader of Israel's Labor Party, have described what they have been through in recent days.

    There are conversations of "deep concern" going on in Israel and how it happened, he says.

    Starmer is pushed on the actions of Israel, replying that the responsibility lies in one place - with Hamas.

  2. Starmer to be quizzed on BBC Radio 4's Today programmepublished at 08:10 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    Next up on the Labour leader's whistle-stop tour of the UK's morning shows is the Today programme on BBC Radio 4.

    Stay tuned for updates here on this page, and you can watch his interview by clicking the Play button above or listen live on BBC Sounds

  3. What did we learn from Starmer's Breakfast interview?published at 08:03 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    Sir Keir Starmer doing live TV interviews on WednesdayImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Sir Keir Starmer doing live TV interviews on Wednesday

    In his BBC Breakfast interview, Starmer lined up squarely with the government by saying Israel had every right to defend itself after Hamas's "appalling terrorism".

    He was asked about yesterday's speech being disrupted by a protester throwing glitter, with the Labour leader saying he had worked hard to change the party since 2019 and wanted to make his case to the country, so he was not going to be deflected by "that idiot".

    He spoke of "building the case for hope... after years of decline" under the Conservatives, including delivering the new homes he said they had failed to.

    Starmer also defended himself against suggestions his speech was policy-light. He said he was "bomb-proofing everything we offer" and offering voters an "emotional connection with the future" that showed he understood people's problems and aspirations.

  4. I have to earn every vote, says Labour leaderpublished at 07:51 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    Starmer says he is not getting ahead of himself, saying he knows he needs to earn every vote.

    He adds that he wanted to be honest and tell people it will not be possible to fix everything within five years, after 13 years of Conservative government.

    That's why he pledged a decade of national renewal yesterday, he says.

    The interview has finished, but he's going to be questioned on Radio 4's Today programme shortly - so stick with us and we'll bring you that and any analysis of what he has to say.

    Keir Starmer
  5. Britons deserve government that delivers on what it says - Starmerpublished at 07:46 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    Asked about whether his speech was light on policy. Starmer disputes this and says they have put out lots of detail over the past 12 months and there were announcements made at the conference.

    But he also says the speech was about telling voters about himself, what he stands for and "create an emotional connection for the future" for people.

    Pressed on whether people can trust him after U-turns on some of the pledges he made in 2019 while campaigning to be Labour leader, Starmer says that's why he wants to "bomb-proof" policy and spending plans before telling people about them.

    He adds that the British people deserve a government that delivers on what he says.

  6. Starmer pushed on where new houses will be builtpublished at 07:44 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    On BBC Breakfast, Sir Keir Starmer is pressed on the detail of his plans to open up planning, saying there are no specified regions yet to build the more than a million new homes he has pledged.

    Instead it'll be a "bidding process" to form these new towns, he says, based on need and whether infrastructure is in place or can be built and getting support of local communities.

    He says he's confident there will be plenty of bids for new housing in England.

    Sir Keir Starmer speaking to broadcasters on Wednesday morningImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Sir Keir Starmer is speaking to broadcasters on Wednesday morning

  7. Starmer declines to get into numbers of new housespublished at 07:42 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    On his housing promises, Starmer says the aim of his speech was to "reach for the future" and say that the UK can have a "decade of national renewal".

    He says housing is "hugely important", talking about how growing up his family had the "security of their own home" - even if they didn't have much when he was a child.

    Starmer says he put across a plan for delivery, repeating his line about bulldozing through the planning system in England.

    He adds it's not about the exact numbers of houses, adding that he wants to make sure any spending pledges put to voters are costed.

  8. I rolled up my sleeves on got on with it - Starmer on glitter protestpublished at 07:40 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    Asked about the protester dumping glitter on him, Starmer jokes that he rolled up his sleeves and got on with it, saying this is like what he had to do to change the Labour Party.

    He says it's not his job to deal with security issues, but instead get on stage and make his speech, which he says he did.

  9. Starmer condemns Hamaspublished at 07:39 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    Keir Starmer

    Sir Keir Starmer is asked about how far the UK should support Israel, which he says Labour stands with the government in supporting the country..

    He adds that "all responsible states, particularly in the Middle East" should condemn Hamas's actions in Israel.

    "This is terrorism, Hamas terrorism and Israel does have the right to protect itself," he adds.

  10. Starmer up on BBC Breakfastpublished at 07:35 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    Sir Keir Starmer, Labour leader, is speaking to BBC Breakfast.

    We'll bring you the key lines from the interview here.

  11. Starmer due to speak to BBC Breakfast shortlypublished at 07:28 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    A quick reminder, we've launched this page nice and early for you because Keir Starmer is talking to our colleagues on BBC Breakfast shortly.

    Stick with us and we'll bring you all the key things the Labour leader has to say, as well as any analysis and reaction to the interview.

    You'll also be able to watch live too, by clicking play in the picture above.

  12. Six takeaways from Starmer's speechpublished at 07:18 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    Here is what we learned from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's speech to his party conference in Liverpool yesterday:

    • He can handle a stage invasion, after brushing off a protester storming the stage and dumping glitter on him
    • Using phrases like "getting Britain building again" repeatedly to get his point across about building
    • This was a pre-election speech, with Labour clearly trying to avoid triumphalism - introducing Starmer as the Labour leader not "our next prime minister", as is tradition
    • Labour is ready to fight rough, linking Rishi Sunak with the chaos of his predecessor Liz Truss' premiership
    • Class is making a comeback, with Starmer speaking about breaking the "class ceiling" and his own background as the soon of a toolmaker
    • Labour sees Scotland as the route back to Downing Street, riding high off the back of their resounding defeat of the SNP in the Rutherglen by-election

    You can read more analysis of the key points from the speech here.

    A protester drops glitter on Sir Keir StarmerImage source, Reuters
  13. What else was in the speech?published at 07:11 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    Sir Keir Starmer used his speech to set out his vision as a reformer on several issues, in what might be his last conference speech before the next general election.

    Beyond housing, he made a bold appeal to Conservative voters who "despair" at their party to join Labour, adding he now oversees a "changed Labour Party, no longer in thrall to gesture politics".

    Going on the attack, Starmer made several digs at former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, referencing the Downing Street partygate scandal.

    He went on to criticise Labour's main rivals in Scotland, the Scottish National Party, who he said can "barely provide a ferry to the Hebrides".

    There was also praise for former Prime Minister Tony Blair, a vow to reform the NHS and a standing ovation in response to his declaration of support for Israel.

    But he warned that if the party won the election, its task would be harder and longer than under previous Labour regimes.

    "There's no magic wand here," he said. "Changing a country is not like ticking a box. It's not the click of a mouse."

  14. Starmer promises to build more than a million homespublished at 07:00 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    Media caption,

    Starmer pledges that Labour will 1.5m new homes

    On Tuesday, the Labour leader said he would "bulldoze through" the planning system in England in order to get more homes built.

  15. Watch: A glittering start to the speech?published at 06:58 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    The start to Keir Starmer’s conference speech was disrupted, after a man approached the Labour leader as he prepared to speak.

    The man shouted about "true democracy" and "crisis" before he was dragged off the stage.

    Merseyside Police said a 28-year-old man from Surrey had been arrested on suspicion of assault, breach of the peace and causing public nuisance.

    Starmer laughed off the protest and took off his jacket to deliver his speech, which you can watch below:

    Media caption,

    Protester throws glitter over Starmer at conference

  16. Starmer calls for 'decade of renewal' under Labourpublished at 06:58 British Summer Time 11 October 2023

    Good morning, thanks for joining our live coverage of the final day of the Labour conference.

    Yesterday, Keir Starmer promised to build "the next generation" of new towns, along with 1.5 million homes, as part of a "decade of renewal" under his party.

    He's due to speak to our colleagues on BBC Breakfast at 07:30 BST before moving on to Radio 4's Today programme - so stick with us and we'll bring you what he has to say.