LIVE: Keir Starmer to speak at Labour conference amid 'battle for soul' of the nation

Sir Keir Starmer is set to deliver a major speech at the Labour Party conference today amid a battle for Britain's 'soul'. The Prime Minister is expected to use his address to announce significant reforms to the NHS while also criticising Nigel Farage's Reform UK and the 'politics of grievance'.

Labour will deliver a new 'online hospital' by 2027 to provide up to 8.5 million additional NHS appointments within its first three years. This is believed to reflect the Prime Minister's vision of a 'new world', as he hopes future generations will 'look back' on this moment when the NHS changed for the better.

Nonetheless, following a turbulent phase in his leadership and with the November budget set, Sir Keir will likely caution that tougher decisions are necessary on the journey toward 'national renewal'. These could include several tax increases and spending squeezes.

Sir Keir's speech also comes as Reform UK has maintained a comfortable lead in the polls. Last week, Sir Keir addressed a crowd in London, warning that the UK is engaged in a 'battle for the soul' of the nation. He reportedly plans to echo this message in Liverpool, where he has previously called Reform’s immigration policy 'racist'.

Today's speech will be held at ACC Liverpool and will start at 2 pm Keep up-to-date with all our live updates here.