Keir: Bring it on

Labour leader challenges Rishi Sunak to face him at ballot box

- LIZZY BUCHAN

KEIR Starmer last night dared Rishi Sunak to face him head-to-head in a general election.

In his first interview of 2024 - after a survey by the Record's sister paper, the Mirror, found two-thirds want to go to the polls by the summer and a third "as soon as possible" - the Labour leader said: "Bring it on, I say."

He added: "We're ready. We've been ready for a long time. We've been working for four years for this. 2024 is the year where we get the chance to change the country for the better."

Speaking at Labour HQ in London, he continued: "The country is ready, your poll shows that. And that's because people can't afford to wait any longer for this Government to finally put itself before the electorate."

In a direct message to Record readers, he added: "Hope is on the way and the power of change is in your hands." 

The challenge came as think-tank the Institute for Government (IfG) recommended the Prime Minister authorise talks between Starmer's top team and the civil service to prepare for a Labour government.

" Hope is on the way and the power of change is in your hands

KEIR STARMER IN MESSAGE TO READERS AHEAD OF ELECTION