Keir Starmer has 'no plans' and 'no principles', says Rishi Sunak

The Prime Minister spoke on national security at the Policy Exchange today. Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images Europe

The public cannot trust Sir Keir Starmer because he is “completely and utterly unprincipled,” Rishi Sunak said as he laid out his case to the electorate in a major speech ahead of the general election.

The Prime Minister warned the world faced «dangerous» years ahead and he said the Labor Party leader did not have policies that could keep the country safe.

Referring to the transition of Conservative MP Nathalie Elphick to the Labor Party, Mr Sunak accused Sir Keir of a “cynical pursuit of power at any cost.”

The Prime Minister said: “I think that says less about her than about Keir Starmer.”

“This shows that he is completely and utterly unprincipled. This is the one who went from hugging Jeremy Corbyn to hugging Natalie Elphick.

“It just goes to show that you can’t trust what this guy says. If you're trying to be everything to everyone, you're essentially worthless.»

He added: “As Natalie Elphicke herself said, in the not-too-distant past the Labor Party was “the pro-immigration party of open borders that doesn’t want to stop the boats.” Her words, not mine.”

Mr Sunak said: “The country faces an important choice. Because despite fourteen years of doing nothing but thinking about the future, Labor has little to say about it. No plan for our border, no plan for our energy security, and no plan for our economy. And no principles.

“Keir Starmer has gone from supporting Jeremy Corbyn to Natalie Elphick, all in the cynical pursuit of power at any cost.”

“Labour has no ideas. What they had, they included. They only have one. The calculation is that they can make you feel so badly about your country that you will not have the strength to ask what they can do with the incredible power they strive to have.»

When they are directly asked if If he said voters would speak out less under Sir Keir, the Prime Minister replied: “In short, yes.” >Ahead of the general election, the Prime Minister said Britain faces turbulent and transformative years. Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images Europe

Rishi Sunak said he has the political and leadership skills needed to keep the country safe, saying: “Keir Starmer's actions make it clear he can't do it.”

During the speech, Mr Sunak also sought to contrast Sir Keir's «doomsterism» and «cynical narrative of decline» with his more optimistic outlook.

Mr Sunak said: “When Labor ignores the achievements of the last 14 years or tries to reduce the last 14 years to 49 days, remember that what they are really trying to do is distract you from what matters most: the future.

“I now have enough clarity to admit that yes, perhaps they can make their path to victory difficult with all their talk of doom loops, gas lighting and pension panics. But I don't think it will work.

“Because at heart we are a nation of optimists. We do not close our eyes to the challenges and threats we face. We simply have an innate belief that whatever they are, we can overcome them, as we have done so many times in our history. And create a secure future for you and your family.»

He later added of the Labor Party: «I refuse to accept the doomsterism and cynical narratives of decline that my opponents hope will make people vote for them. ”

New focus on safety and security…

Highlighting the dangers and transformations facing Britain in the coming years, the Prime Minister tried to position himself as the leader best equipped to deal with the challenge, saying the election choice was between “the future” and “the past.”

Downing Street sees the issue as the thread that binds many of their policy positions, from defense spending and immigration to energy strategy and Mr Sunak's economic approach.

Mr Sunak gave his 30-minute speech at in the center of London at the headquarters of Policy Exchange, a right-wing think tank. Work on it has been going on for several weeks. He said: “I feel a deep sense of urgency. Because more will change in the next five years than in the last 30 years.

“I am convinced that the next few years will be some of the most dangerous, but at the same time the most transformational, our country has ever known.< /p>

“So the question we face today is next: who has a clear plan and bold ideas to ensure a secure future for you and your family?»

«You can trust me with the safety of you and your family.»

Later in his speech he added: «First of all , you can trust me to protect you and your family from the threats we face at home and abroad.

“There are storms ahead of us. The dangers are all too real. But Britain can be proud of itself again. Britain can feel confident again. Because with bold action and a clear plan, we can and will create a secure future.»

The speech focused on the Prime Minister's big picture rather than releasing any policy statements — even in Number 10 it was seen as a way set the framework for the upcoming election campaign.

This happens when the Tories stick around. They trail Labor by 20 percentage points in opinion polls and may have just six months left before the country goes to the polls.

The Tories tend to do better on security and defense issues, according to polls that examine issues on which parties are more trusted. Throughout his speech, the Prime Minister gave examples of how safety and security is central to his party's policy approach, in contrast to Labour's.

When it comes to defense spending, the Tories recently pledged to raise it to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030 (it's currently around 2.3 per cent), and while Labor also wants to achieve the same target, it has made no promises as to when it will be done. achieved — allowing the Prime Minister to warn of the consequences of an opponent's position.

Mr Sunak claimed Vladimir Putin would be emboldened by Labor's failure to deliver on a Tory pledge to raise defense spending to 2.5 per cent by 2030. The prime minister also argued that his immigration policies, particularly deportation flights to Rwanda, which Labor would scrap, would ensure border security. Other policies included in this framework included a less ideological approach to Net Zero, thereby protecting the UK's energy security and its economic approach.

Answering questions from reporters, the prime minister refused to rule out the possibility of holding general elections in July. While continuing to say he expects a vote to take place in the second half of the year, Mr Sunak was unable to elaborate — however, he appeared to defy Sir Keir by saying he would debate the Labor leader «as many times as he likes» in the election campaign.

When asked whether Boris Johnson would participate in the election campaign, the Prime Minister said that «every» Conservative who supported his vision would be welcome, opening the door to the former Prime Minister to the minister. the minister has a role.

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour's shadow treasurer general, reacted to the speech by saying: “Rishi Sunak's seventh reset in 18 months is just another desperate attempt to hide from the appalling record of this failed Tory » government.

“After 14 years of insecurity at home and abroad, the Tories have lost the right to talk about security.”