Local elections 2023: Focus on living costs, Starmer tells new councils

Sir Keir Starmer has asked Labour councillors to focus on easing living costs to capitalise on the party's local election results last week.

The Labour leader credited a "single focus" on the issue during the campaign for its strong showing, where it gained more than 500 councillors.

The result, he added, gave new local Labour leaders a "duty to deliver".

Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak has insisted his five priorities remain the best way for the Tories to win back voters.

The prime minister is facing pressure to explain how he will improve the Conservatives' standing with voters ahead of the next general election, expected next year, after losing more than 1,000 councillors.

Labour won control of 22 councils last week, after running a campaign focused on increased costs for households amid soaring inflation.

These new Labour local authorities have now been tasked with drawing up "action plans" to lower living costs within the next 100 days.

At a meeting with new Labour council leaders earlier, Sir Keir said he was "absolutely convinced" the issue was behind his party's gains, adding it had consistently come up on the doorstep during the campaign.

Although councils have limited powers to change the economic forces behind rising prices, he said the plans could provide a "blueprint" for how his party could tackle the issue if it wins power nationally.

Ideas raised by local leaders at the meeting included "financial MOTs" to help people claim the maximum amount of tax credit, and acting as a co-ordinator for local groups offering support.

In a possible hint of the party's focus ahead of the next election, the councils have also been tasked with reviewing local housing and development policies.

Meanwhile, Mr Sunak has insisted that his promises to cut inflation, bring down NHS waiting lists and tackle small boats, are the best way to put his party back on track after the local election losses.

Some Conservative MPs have privately suggested Mr Sunak is likely to need to go beyond reiterating his five priorities - outlined earlier this year - to improve the Tories' fortunes.

But he doubled down on Tuesday, telling reporters during a visit that his priorities were "the right ones" to win back voters and "the country's priorities".

"I know that's not going to happen overnight, but what I can tell people is we are working day and night to make their lives better," he added.

Conservative MP Justin Tomlinson said the results were "devastating" for his party, and should serve as a "wake-up call for the party at all levels".

Speaking to Times Radio, he criticised the party's pitch to voters, adding it lacked a "coherent message" and it felt like it had "forgotten" to launch its campaign.

"Before we know it, we'll be heading into the general election, and we need to be back on the front foot," he added.

"We actually need to show that determination and that fight, and set out those tangible reasons why people should vote for what would be an unprecedented fifth term in office."