Starmer claims Palestine recognition is boost to two-state solution

Keir Starmer received a standing ovation during his keynote speech to the Labour Party conference as he said recognition of Palestinian statehood by the UK had restarted hope for a two-state solution.

He offered only a brief reference to the conflict in the Middle East near the start of his one-hour-long address.

Speaking in Liverpool at a time of growing criticism over his leadership, and anger within the community over his decision to recognise Palestine, Starmer told the Labour faithful: “I strongly support efforts to end the fighting, release every hostage, and urgently scale up aid to Gaza.

“All sides must now come together to bring this initiative into reality, because we must restart the hope of a two-state solution, a safe and secure Israel alongside the long-promised Palestinian state – a state that this country now recognises.”

This drew applause from most in the hall, although some Jewish attendees remained seated.

While Starmer’s speech received applause, the reaction to his stance on Palestine stood in marked contrast to the divisive fervor under Jeremy Corbyn.

MPs, peers and other Labour delegates were given the flags of England, Wales and Scotland to wave during the PM’s speech.

It took place with any expected stunt or heckling from pro-Palestine activists, and there was no sign of any Palestinian flags raised in the hall.

Labour peer Lord Mike Katz later told Jewish News:”This was the PM’s best Conference speech yet.

“He set out clearly what he stands for and a clear choice – division and decline with Reform and populists of left and right against Labour’s patriotic project to unite and renew our country.

“He challenged Farage’s grievance if narrative and his constant talking our great country down.

“For our community, as much as anyone else, we need to reject these politics of discord – we lod ourselves if we think the racists won’t turn their hate on us eventually. Keir called that out and set out a programme of renewal for the country – ending decline, reforming our public services and growing our economy from the grassroots.”

Meanwhile, his pointed critique of Nigel Farage and his vision for inclusive patriotism drew even louder approval—underscoring a shift not just in leadership, but in the spirit and values at the heart of the party.

He was joined on stage with his wife Lady Victoria after he delivered his keynote speech on Tuesday.

Starmer put controlling immigration, growing the economy and restoring pride in Britain at the heart of his plan to take on Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

The Prime Minister said securing the borders was a “reasonable demand”, but he hit out at people including Mr Farage who cross a “moral line” on the issue.

Labour will fight next year’s elections as “patriots of our great nations” with an argument of “bringing our country together as a whole”, Starmer also said.

He told the party’s annual conference: “I’m not just proud of the Union Jack and the cross of St George, I’m also proud of the Saltire, proud of the Red Dragon, proud of our union – this astonishing relationship between four great nations.”

Throwing bricks in an apparent protest is “not legitimate – that is thuggery”, Starmer also said

The Prime Minister added: “There is a line, a moral line, and it isn’t just (Reform UK leader Nigel) Farage who crosses it.

“There are also people who should know better, sowing fear and discord across our country, and then, when we call that out, they pretend we’re criticising reasonable concerns about immigration.”

Starmer has said Labour will scrap the current university target and replace it with a new one for two-thirds of young people to go to university or do a “gold-standard apprenticeship”.

He said that he will introduce a new target for two-thirds of people to either go to university, further education or do a gold-standard apprenticeship by the age of 25.

Starmer also announced 14 new Technical Excellence Colleges, which will be focused on sectors like advanced manufacturing, clean energy and digital.

Labour has “backed” young people with its education policy announcements during the party’s Liverpool conference, Starmer added.

Among those inside the hall for the speech were Board of Deputies senior vice-president Adrian Cohen, along with his wife and former president Marie van der Zyl.

She was photographed with chancellor Rachel Reeves earlier at a conference event.