Politics LIVE: Keir Starmer to turn Union Jack into 'symbol of inclusion' in bid to 'reclaim flag from far-right'

Sep 24, 2025 - 09:54

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Politics LIVE: Keir Starmer to turn Union Jack into 'symbol of inclusion' in bid to 'reclaim flag from far-right'

Sir Keir Starmer is set to reveal plans to turn the Union Jack into a "symbol of inclusion" in a major speech on Friday.

The Prime Minister is expected to bid to "reclaim the flag" from the "far-right" in his final address before the Labour Party conference begins.

His speech will come just days after Tommy Robinson's "Unite the Kingdom" rally drew huge crowds to London, and as flags from across the Home Nations continue to fly across Britain.

Sir Keir will be "keen on reclaiming the flag," a No10 source told The Telegraph - echoing his words from St George's Day.

"The flag is for all of us. It should be a symbol of unity rather than a symbol of division. A symbol of pride, a symbol of inclusion."

But then, the PM will attack Nigel Farage as a "toxic" force, whose idea of Britain must be challenged.

He will also extend his hand to left-wing leaders around the world, and urge them to "fight for the values they hold dear: decency, tolerance and respect".

On several occasions, Sir Keir has pointed to football as an example of his apparent pride in the Union Jack and St George's Cross.

And last weekend, he wrote in The Sun that attending Euro '96 "felt like we were part of something larger than ourselves".

Sir Keir continued: "An England that belonged to our grandparents and our history, but also to our children and our future.

"And I felt like I was part of it. That's the power of our flag. To make us all feel like part of Team England."

FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…

Nigel Farage responds to Ed Davey's claim that he will roll back gun laws and spark 'mass shooting' drills in schools

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has responded to Sir Ed Davey's claim that he will roll back gun laws and spark "mass shooting" drills in schools.

Mr Farage said he was referring to shooting ranges, telling LBC: "The Olympic team should not have to go to Calais to practice, is what I said."

Commenting about Mr Davey, the Reform UK leader said: "I don't think you should take him too seriously."

Mr Farage said Sir Ed is "totally obsessive" about him, after the Liberal Democrat leader said his name 30 times in his conference speech yesterday.

The Reform UK leader added: "He didn't tell the country what he was for in any way at all, just what he's against, which is me and Trump. And he doesn't want us to live in a Trump-style country."

Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart questions the 'judgement' and 'integrity' of senior Labour MPs

The Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Alex Burghart, has questioned the "judgement" and "integrity" of those at the centre of the Labour project.

His comments come after Morgan McSweeney, Sir Kier Starmer's chief of staff, was told to label hundreds of thousands of pounds of "hidden" donations as an admin error, according to a newly leaked email.

The donations totalled £739,492, which senior Labour lawyer Gerald Shamash said did not have to be declared.

Commenting on the matter, Mr Burghart told GB News: "Morgan McSweeney, who is the Prime Minister's chief of staff, when he was running the Labour campaign group, Labour Together, deliberately withheld information about donations that were made to his campaign body.

"This is very serious because Labour Together was the outfit that got Keir Starmer elected as Labour leader - it's the outfit that set him on the path to be Prime Minister.

"It appears now the man who appears to be his chief of staff broke the law by deliberately keeping information about donors out of the public eye."

Mr Burghart continued: "We have written to the electoral commission and the parliamentary authorities to ask them to investigate because once again it calls into question the judgment and integrity of the people right at the centre of the Labour project, only a few days after the whole Peter Mandelson, Jeffrey Epstein scandal."

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH ALEX BURGHART ABOVE

Highlights from Donald Trump's extraordinary attack at the United Nations

In case you missed it, Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on leaders at the United Nations (UN) and Sir Keir Starmer yesterday.

After the teleprompter failed, the US President started criticising the UN, saying: "I ended seven wars, dealt with the leaders of each and every one of these countries, and I never even received a phone call from the United Nations."

Key moments from Mr Trump's speech:

Mr Trump pushed back on countries recognising the state of Palestine, saying it would be a "reward" for Hamas
The US President urged Europe to "step it up" and impose "a strong round of powerful tariffs" on Russia, to help end the war in Ukraine
Mr Trump told European leaders that their "countries are going to hell" due to "uncontrolled migration"
Sadiq Khan is a "terrible" mayor, according to the US President, as he claimed "Sharia Law is coming to London"
Mr Trump described climate change as "the greatest con job that ever perpetrated on the world", as he hit out at UN bodies for wind farms and other renewable energy projects

WATCH PART OF THE US PRESIDENT'S EXTRAORDINARY ATTACK ABOVE

Shabana Mahmood warns far right rhetoric 'is getting out of control'

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the rhetoric of the far right "is getting out of control" as she pledged to improve border security.

Ms Mahmood said she will "do whatever it takes to secure our border" and fight any legal challenges to prevent deportations.

She told ITV: "If we have got control of our borders, I think that creates the space for fundamental, decent, British people to be welcoming of those who come to our country and to contribute.

"I think that having a secure border is necessary for maintaining what is actually very positive race relations in our country.

"I am also worried about the rise of the far right, I'm very worried about some of the rhetoric, I think it is getting out of control and I worry about where that may lead.

"As politicians, we should hold the line on what is patriotism and what is nationalism; there is a line there - I know where it is."

Keir Starmer's chief of staff faces calls for police probe over £700k donations scandal

Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, was told to label hundreds of thousands of pounds of "hidden" donations as an "admin error", according to a newly-leaked email.

Mr McSweeney is facing growing pressure over his substantial donations to his Labour Together campaign group, which helped Sir Keir win the party's leadership election in 2020.

The Electoral Commission (EC) previously slapped the group with a fine in 2021 due to its handling of donations.

Mr McSweeney was instructed by a senior Labour lawyer, Gerald Shamash, to drop a claim that he had been told donations worth some £739,492 did not have to be declared, the Daily Mail revealed.

READ THE FULL STORY ON MORGAN MCSWEENEY HERE

On Labour's agenda: Thousands to receive 'life-changing' support through new £25million 'youth hubs' drive

Thousands of young people could receive "life-changing" support into work or training through a new rollout of youth hubs across the country.

Britain's top football clubs have signed up to help ensure every 18-to-21-year-old has the chance to "earn or learn" - with England's Premier League now backing the drive.

The hubs, hosted by sports clubs and community venues in England, Scotland and Wales, are now set to almost double in number thanks to a £25million investment announced today.

The EFL in the Community and Rugby Football League have also been confirmed as new partners, supporting the same aim.

Work & Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden will be speaking to GB News from 9am to discuss the hubs - and more - and you can follow his appearance on this live blog or on our live stream HERE.