Keir Starmer says big Labour majority ‘better for the country’

Sir Keir Starmer has said a big majority would be “better for the country”, allowing Labour to reform the planning system and improve the economy.

In an interview with The Times, the Labour leader sought to make a virtue out of Tory warnings of “Labour super majority”, as 4 July polling day nears.

Sir Keir emphasised the need for a strong mandate to “seriously change” the country so that people would have “more money in their pockets”.

In response, Rishi Sunak warned that if Labour won a big majority “they will be unchecked and unaccountable”.

Mr Sunak said he was still working for every vote, as the Conservative campaign continued to fight a defensive campaign.

The Labour leader told the Times a bigger majority “means we can roll up our sleeves and get on with the change we need”.

Labour’s vision centres on creating more growth, driven by major planning reforms and skill overhauls.

“The most important thing is growing the economy and wealth creation. I do think that’s been the Achilles’ heel for 13 years now,” he said.

“You can talk about public services but if you haven’t got your economy working then you can’t do that. If you haven’t settled the planning, the infrastructure challenges, then you can’t get your economy going.”