Ruptly
"UK PM Sir Keir Starmer admitted the latest election wipeout was 'very tough' but suggested he wasn't going anywhere as he gave a 'make or break' speech in London on Monday. "The election results last week were tough. Very tough. We lost some brilliant Labour representatives. That hurts. And it should hurt. I get it. I feel it. And I take responsibility," he said. Starmer warned "we are not just facing dangerous times, but dangerous opponents, very dangerous opponents" in an apparent reference to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage - and even said he would move to ban 'far-right agitators' coming from abroad for a nationalist march this weekend. The UK under Starmer has been condemned at home and abroad- notably in the US - for increasingly 'authoritarian' crackdowns on free speech and protests. The PM also promised to put the UK at the 'heart of Europe'. Starmer backed 'remain' in the 2016 referendum and has been accused of attempting to undermine that vote to leave - following pressure from many in the party to go back in. However, that 2016 vote to leave was backed not only by conservatives but also by many of Starmer's own working class voters in traditional Labour strongholds, who have turned to Reform in recent years. The PM faces mounting pressure to quit over disastrous local election results last week - and a huge surge for anti-immigration party Reform UK. There have been also calls for Starmer to quit over the long-running scandal involving his Epstein-linked former US ambassador, as well as rows over immigration chaos, blighted public services, the spiralling cost of living, and his very public bust-ups with US President Donald Trump. The Green Party also saw a surge in support last week, campaigning for a much tougher stance on Israel over Gaza. The PM could face at least one leadership challenge although key contenders like Health Secretary Wes Streeting or former deputy leader Angela Rayner are yet to make a move. Support of 81 MPs -20 percent of the party- is needed to trigger a contest. Only backbencher Catherine West has said she will launch a challenge is a member of the cabinet does not do so first. So-called 'King of the North' - Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham - is also expected to be in the running although would need to return to the House of Commons as an MP to launch a bid."
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