7 hours ago
Anthony Albanese has defended UK prime minister Keir Starmer’s struggling leadership, insisting the Labour government has an “absolute resolve” to stand up for democracy and fight far-right forces in Britain.
In a major speech to the UK Labour party conference in Liverpool on Sunday, Albanese will argue Labour can resist the challenges being levelled at trust in government and institutions.
As many as 20,000 people are expected at the party’s annual conference, which comes amid growing criticism of Starmer’s leadership, after political missteps and departures in recent weeks, and as Labour lags Nigel Farage’s Reform party by as much as 10 points in opinion polls.
The days leading up to the conference have seen speculation the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, could challenge Starmer for the top job.
Albanese called Starmer his “mate” and insisted both Australian Labor and UK Labour could meet key challenges driving some voters to consider populist parties.
“At a time when young people feel the housing market is beyond their reach, we must build the new homes and create the economic opportunity that revives the dream of home ownership,” he said.
“For cities and regions on the frontlines of economic change we must invest in the education and training that empowers people to fulfil their potential and we must build the clean energy that will power new jobs and industries.
“We approach this work with determination and with optimism.”
The first Australian prime minister to address the conference, Albanese told delegates trust in government and institutions was under serious challenge, and the rise of artificial intelligence was transforming economies around the world.
He insisted leaders should stand up for secure employment and fair wages.
Referencing former Labour leaders Harold Wilson and Clement Attlee, Albanese said government was still capable of solving big problems.
“All of these opportunities can be seized. But only if our people continue to see our institutions as the best way to make it happen.
“We all sense this is an era when our capacity for peaceful disagreement is being tested.
“But I what I see here in UK Labour, is the same determination that I know lives in every member of Australian Labor. An absolute resolve to stand together and defend democracy itself.”
Ahead of the conference, Starmer has called for “patriotic national renewal” on the progressive side of politics.
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“History will not forgive us if we do not use every ounce of our energy to fight Reform,” he said. “There is an enemy.”
Albanese met King Charles III at Balmoral on Saturday, as the opposition leader, Sussan Ley, criticised his 11-day visit to the US and UK, describing his presence at the UK Labour conference as partisan.
“Albanese is in the UK as the Australian prime minister, not the leader of the Australian Labor party,” Ley said. “He shouldn’t be swanning around on the taxpayer dollar at Labour political conferences hanging out with his leftwing mates.”
Albanese defended the visi, and said he would meet with UK government ministers, including the defence secretary, John Healey.
“Every minister in the UK government will be in Liverpool,” he told ABC TV. “I’ll be there too.”
He said he would discuss trade and investment, including in critical minerals, and talk up his government’s social media ban for children under 16.
He told Sky News “I’ll be having discussions with ministers, not just with prime minister Starmer, about Aukus and about that progress, taking the opportunity to sit down with government ministers”.
Albanese will visit the United Arab Emirates en route home to Australia.
