Starmer to Promise Bolder Action in Speech Amid Leadership Questions

The prime minister will deliver a speech on Monday promising bolder action to tackle major challenges facing the country as he seeks to persuade Labour MPs not to replace him as party leader. The address comes after the party suffered heavy losses in elections across England, Scotland and Wales.

BBC News reported that growing numbers of Labour MPs went public with calls for the prime minister to resign or set a timetable for his departure over the weekend. One backbencher said she could try to trigger a leadership contest if the speech leaves her dissatisfied with the plan to improve the party's performance.

The move could open a route for other potential contenders to come forward.

At the center of the speech will be an ambition to place Britain at the heart of Europe by seeking closer ties with the EU. The prime minister has said the move would define his government and strengthen the UK's economy, trade and defence. The address will also address the government's legislative plans for the coming year, to be unveiled at the King's Speech on Wednesday.

The prime minister is expected to say those plans will show hope, urgency and exactly whose side the government is on. "We will face up to the big challenges and we will make the big arguments," he is expected to say, according to extracts released by Downing Street.

"To meet the challenges that our country faces incremental change won't cut it. Reform UK made gains while the Greens also increased support in London and other urban areas. The party was removed from power in Wales after a century of dominance there.