You do not have to put up with this ...let's turn the page

Campaign kicks off with Starmer blast at Tories

- ASHLEY COWBURN

KEIR Starmer yesterday blasted the Tories for an unforgivable drop in living standards, as he urged voters to "turn the page".

The Labour leader pitched the General Election on July 4 as a choice between "two different countries, two different futures" for Britain.

He fired the gun on the party's campaign in Gillingham & Rainham - a seat the Tories won in 2019 with a majority of over 15,000.

Before meeting Labour activists and even kissing his first campaign baby, Mr Starmer said: "For a government to leave after 14 years our country with living standards worse than when they started is absolutely unforgivable.

"What is Rishi Sunak's plan? £46billion of unfunded tax cuts. If they get five more years, they will carry on in the same way."

Research from the Resolution Foundation this year warned real disposable income would fall by 0.9% between 2019 and 2025. The think-tank called it the first parliament in modern times in which living standards would fall.

Mr Starmer told supporters gathered at Gillingham FC's Priestfield stadium: "You do not have to put up with this.

"The power of the vote is that you can vote Labour to turn the page, to make the change that this country so desperately, desperately needs.

"All we ask now is the opportunity to change our country and put it back in the service of working people."