The Labour leader, who faces pressure from senior party figures to row back from his position on the controversial policy, instead told them they would have to be "even more" focused and disciplined in the months ahead.
At the Future of Britain conference, Starmer said Labour had already had to make "really ruthless" decisions, including ruling out other unfunded spending commitments, since he took the reins to ensure it was in election-winning form.
He said that would involve not being able to do everything that shadow ministers might want to, but added: "As a party we have to make tough decisions. And in the abstract, everyone says: "That's right, Keir.'
"But then we get into the tough decisions - we've been in one of those for the last few days - and they say: 'We don't like that, can we just not make that one? I'm sure there is another tough decision somewhere else we can make?' But we have to take the tough decisions."
Denne historien er fra July 19, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra July 19, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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