Starmer fights to stave off leadership contest in major speech to save his premiership following Labours disastrous local elections results - live updates

Sir Keir will make his last stand today with a speech that is widely seen as his final chance to convince his party to let him continue. He will say: 'People need hope. We will face up to the big challenges and we will make the big arguments.'

But he faces the prospect of an immediate leadership battle if surprise 'stalking horse' candidate Catherine West gets the required 81 backers – a fifth of Labour MPs – needed to ignite one.

Ms West has indicated she will formally challenge the PM if she is still 'dissatisfied' after hearing his latest 'reset' speech.

Ms West told the BBC: 'I will hear what the Prime Minister's got to say tomorrow and then, if I'm still dissatisfied, I will put out my email to the Parliamentary Labour Party, asking for names.'

She also encouraged women to stand against Sir Keir as there has never been a female Labour leader.

But Cabinet minister Ms Phillipson, sitting next to her in the BBC studio, told her: 'I love you dearly, Catherine, but I just disagree on this one.' She also said her colleague's move was 'completely wrong' and doubted if it would go ahead.

Good morning and welcome to our UK politics live coverage as Sir Keir Starmer attempts to save his premiership with a major speech inside Downing Street.

The Prime Minister will oday promise sweeping changes to address the 'big challenges' facing the UK with a plan he says will demonstrate 'hope, urgency' and set out 'exactly whose side we are on'.

But is it too late for Sir Keir to save his tenure?

Labour MPs will be encouraged to endorse a leadership challenge if he fails to convince them he can pull the party out of a slump which has seen votes and seats flow to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and Zack Polanski’s Green Party.

Stick with us as we bring you the latest throughout the day.