I'd work hand-in-glove with Khan to build more homes

Starmer’s vow to support London as he warns Labour voters against backing Corbyn

- Nicholas Cecil

SIR Keir Starmer vowed today to end the "bashing of London" and instead get more homes "built at speed" in the capital if he becomes Prime Minister.

Speaking exclusively to the Evening Standard, the Labour leader promised to work "hand-in-glove" with Mayor Sadiq Khan to ease the housing crisis.

He said this would be a dramatic shift from the current, often tense situation with the "national Government picking a fight with the Mayor of London".

Ramping up house building would ease upward pressure on rents, he added, which have soared, making it increasingly hard for many people, particularly the young, to live in the capital.

In a wide-ranging interview, Sir Keir:

• Warned Labour voters in Islington North, who are considering backing ex-party leader Jeremy Corbyn, now standing as an independent, that the election was a "straight fight" between the Tories and Labour, adding: “If you want change, you have to vote for it." 
• Declined to back easing immigration rules to fill vacancies in London's hospitality sector.
• Rejected accusations that Labour had watered down its green economy plan and that he should have been bolder on tackling climate change as Mr Khan was on expanding the ultralow emission zone to outer London.

Sir Keir has unveiled Labour's six first steps on the economy, NHS, immigration, energy, anti-social behaviour and recruiting 6,500 new teachers.