Sir Keir Starmer will give a major speech on Thursday morning amid warnings that his premiership is in its “end of days” over the Lord Mandelson scandal.
The Prime Minister is expected to turn his guns on Reform UK’s “division”, vowing that Britain is “bound by values, by common endeavour, and by the responsibilities we owe to one another”.
“In a world that increasingly preys on weakness, I believe Britain is stronger as a tolerant, decent and respectful country,” he will say.
“Britain has been undermined by political neglect and the scorched earth of Tory austerity… Politics in this dangerous era is no longer about left and right, but a contest between renewal and grievance.
“This Government chooses the path of unity,” he will add.
Despite his vow of unity, his own ministers are said to be on the brink of resigning and he faces calls to sack his closest ally and chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.
Labour MP Barry Gardiner refused to defend Sir Keir last night – and when asked whether he should resign, he urged the PM to “think very hard about what’s in the country’s best interest”.
During a fiery PMQs on Wednesday, the Prime Minister blasted Lord Mandelson – the man he picked as Britain’s ambassador to the US – claiming he was repeatedly lied to about his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and accusing him of betraying the country, the party and Parliament.
But Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of presiding over a “cover-up”, asking him directly whether he had knowledge of Lord Mandelson’s continued friendship with Epstein after his conviction.
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RECAP: ‘Time for a fresh start!’ Labour MPs call for PM’s head over Mandelson scandal
Labour MPs have admitted Sir Keir Starmer’s days in Downing Street are numbered as backbenchers turn against the Prime Minister.
Earlier today, the PM backed down from his original plans for top civil servant Sir Chris Wormald to decide which documents relating to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador could be released.
Under pressure from Labour MPs, led by ex-Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Sir Keir accepted the decision could be made by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee instead.
However, MPs have said the eventual release of the documents, which could be delayed by a police investigation into Mandelson, could launch someone in the party to begin a leadership challenge.
One MP told The Guardian: “Trust is finite. I’m personally not sure I could trust myself to back the prime minister in a confidence vote.”
A former Labour minister added: “We’ve had a lot of bad days recently, but this is the worst yet, I think.”
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