Starmer's case for the nation's defence

IT'S a venue which has seen the likes of Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair in the past.

- JOSEPH TIMAN

Yesterday, it welcomed the next person who wants to become prime minister.

Sir Keir Starmer summoned the nation's press to The Fusilier Museum in Bury, where he set out Labour's position on defence, promising that under his 'changed' party, national security will 'always come first!

It comes just three days after the man he hopes to replace at 10 Downing Street Rishi Sunak-visited the town to make his pitch to voters in this key election battleground.

The Conservatives clinched the Bury North constituency in 2019, beating Labour by just 105 votes - making it the most marginal seat in Britain at the last general election.

Mr Sunak - who received a mixed reception at Burrs Country Park on Friday said he is 'confident' the Conservatives will hold onto seats in the North West where two of his Tory MPs have joined Labour since the last poll.

Despite these endorsements, Sir Keir is still at pains to convince voters across the region many of whom shed lifelong allegiances to Labour last time around - that his party has changed.