Keir Starmer Slams Farage’s Coal Comeback as “Backwards” in Fiery Energy Clash

Sir Keir Starmer has torn into Reform UK’s plan to revive coal mining in Wales, calling out Nigel Farage for dragging the country in the wrong direction on energy. Speaking to GB News, the Prime Minister didn’t hold back as he contrasted the government’s focus on clean energy with Reform’s old-school strategy.

“I want to go forward, not backwards. And Nigel Farage is going backwards,” he said, making it crystal clear that coal isn’t on the agenda for a greener Britain.

Starmer was in Suffolk to shine a light on the government’s renewed push for nuclear power, announcing major investment in the Sizewell C project. He pointed out just how long it’s been since the UK last attempted something of this scale. “We haven’t done a project like this in this country for 30 years. China and France have been doing it, but not Britain, and I want Britain to be making sure that we’ve got the secure energy of the future,” he explained.

He didn’t stop there either. Starmer laid out how this investment isn’t just about powering the country but about boosting the economy too. “This is 10 years’ worth of jobs, 10,000 jobs here at this college in Suffolk,” he said, clearly linking the project with long-term employment opportunities.

As part of the wider energy strategy, Starmer also gave a nod to nuclear innovation, pointing to the upcoming “small modular reactor announcement from Rolls Royce,” showing the government is serious about backing British engineering and staying ahead in the energy game.

Switching gears to public safety, Starmer defended the government’s latest changes to police funding as part of the Spending Review. Far from weakening the force, he insisted it’s a move to boost community security. “We’ll be more safe. There’s money going into policing, into security, and that is really important,” he said.

Having once served as the country’s chief prosecutor, Starmer’s passion for local policing came through loud and clear. “This is a core belief of mine, those extra police officers will be neighbourhood police officers, and I think that will give people the reassurance in their communities that they are safe and security as individuals, as families, as communities,” he added.

On the controversial Winter Fuel Payments issue, Starmer stuck to his guns, defending the government’s original move but saying things have now shifted. “The decision we made on winter fuel in the Budget was the right decision. We had to stabilise the economy, and we’ve done that,” he said.

Looking ahead to the spending review, he highlighted other ways the government is looking after pensioners, making a clear swipe at the opposition. “As a result of that, by the way, we committed to the triple lock, something the Tories haven’t done, and that means £470 went on to pensions in April,” he said.

And now, with changes being made, Starmer says more elderly people will benefit. “I’m pleased that we’re able to do this now. More pensioners will be eligible,” he confirmed.

It’s a full-throttle week for the Prime Minister, doubling down on future-focused plans while firing warning shots at those, like Farage, who he says are stuck in the past.

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