SIR Keir Starmer is set to push patriotism in his first Labour Party conference speech since becoming leader.
In an effort to appeal to party voters in the north of England who switched to the Tories at last year’s election, he will say: “We love this country as you do.”
It comes after Labour’s latest Facebook ad campaign featured a Union flag background and a “Labour says: Get the Brexit deal done” message, suggesting Starmer will be pushing patriotism widely as he moves forward as leader.
READ MORE: This new Labour Party ad campaign proves they're clueless about Scotland
In an online broadcast today, Starmer will promise to prioritise security for families and the UK and stress Labour is “under new leadership”.
He will say he wants Britain to be the “best country to grow up in and the best country to grow old in”
He will list “security for our nation, our families and all of our communities” as “values I hold dear”.
On policy, the leader will call for “properly funded” public services and “huge investment” in skills to create jobs beyond the pandemic.
The Labour-affiliated Fire Brigades Union warned Starmer against “watering down” the “radical policies” of his leadership campaign. They told the leader not to “cede any ground” to the Tories.
Addressing Labour’s new Union-flag-themed, pro-Brexit ads last week, SNP MSP Bob Doris said: “Labour are already completely out of touch with voters in Scotland, but they will never be forgiven for their part in dragging Scotland out of Europe against our will.
"For as long as the Labour Party promote this kind of Tory-light rhetoric whilst turning their back on a second independence referendum they will remain irrelevant in Scotland."
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