Labour leader hopes to 'win trust' of voters in South of England during 'deliberate' tour of region

WATCH: Sir Keir Starmer speaks to ITV News Meridian on the campaign trail. (Picture: PA Images)

The Labour leader says he is deliberately targeting voters in the South of England because he wants to win their trust and confidence ahead of the general election. 

Sir Keir Starmer spent a second day in the region on Tuesday, visiting small businesses in Basingstoke and delivering a speech to supporters in Reading. 

It follows a visit by the party leaders to the docks in Southampton on Monday, as the party attempts to drive home its economic messages. 

Speaking to ITV News Meridian, Sir Keir Starmer said: “We are spending a lot of time in the South of England, and that's deliberate because I do want to be able to win the trust and confidence of voters [here], because that is an important part of the government that we want to form.”

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to Gabardine Bar in Basingstoke. Credit: PA Images

“I want the people of the South of England to be able to return Labour candidates, to sit on the Labour benches of a Labour government and therefore to be able to bring about change as quickly as possible.”

“Also, I was brought up in the south of England, so I have an affinity with life in the south of England. I know just how important it is to have the change that we need.”

During a tour of a bar in Basingstoke, Sir Keir also signalled his support for continuing the freeze on beer duty. 

The party leader said he agreed with comments made by Rachel Reeves, where she hinted that the tax measure could continue under Labour.

The shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves told the Sun newspaper on Monday it had been “right” to campaign for alcohol duties to remain frozen.

Sir Kier Starmer and Theo Paphitis learn to make a bangle at the Hampshire School of Jewellery Credit: ITV Meridian

Asked if Labour supporters in some parts of the South should vote tactically for other parties to prevent Conservative victories, Sir Keir said: “Well, my mission is to get just as many Labour voters as possible, and we're very clear in the areas that we are going to make our argument… So, I would encourage people to vote Labour.”

Labour has proposed opening 350 new banking hubs across the UK in order to revive town centres.

These hubs allow staff from several banks to share the same space, helping to fill gaps left in the system from branch closures.

They have a counter service operated by the Post Office, allowing customers to conduct routine banking transactions.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and Theo Paphitis arrive for a visit to the Hampshire School of Jewellery in Basingstoke Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA

The party said that it would give new powers to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and strengthen regulation to support Link to proactively source locations for new banking hubs.

Labour said the ambition was part of plans for high streets, which also included cracking down on anti-social behaviour and supporting businesses and communities.

The UK Spirits Alliance has urged politicians canvassing for votes to consider a freeze on all alcohol duty in future.

Hilary Whitney, co-founder of Sacred Spirits and member of the UK Spirits Alliance, said: “Politicians need to realise that pubs are more than just pints. A third of all alcoholic drinks served in a pub are spirits, yet they are taxed the highest. A whopping 80% of each bottle of gin currently goes to the taxman.

“At this election, it is important that all politicians back our iconic British spirits industry to protect pubs at home and help grow exports abroad.”

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