London, Thanasis Gavos

Sir Keir Starmer called on British citizens for a “national renewal” under the Labor Party he leads to reverse the “permanent decline” under the Conservatives.

In a speech in Bristol, which commentators said he effectively launched Labour’s general election campaign, Sir Keir said 2024 was “a choice year, an opportunity to change Britain”, adding that the clock was ticking down for the Tory government.

He said he carried a message of “hope” – hope for democracy, for the power of the vote, for the momentum of national renewal and for the recovery of the future.

He said voters were right to be “anti-Westminster” and angry at where politics had gone.

But, he continued, things can be better, with Labor ready to “serve” all Britons and heal the wounds opened by 13 years of Conservative governments, without seeing government as a hobby or an opportunity for preaching.