Sir Keir Starmer's speech vowing to smash the "class ceiling" by improving the education of underprivileged children was interrupted by protesters accusing him of backtracking on green policies. During the Labour leader's address in Gillingham, two young individuals from the Green New Deal Rising group unfurled a banner and heckled him for diluting his climate ambitions.
The activists urged Sir Keir not to scale down plans to borrow £28 billion annually for investment in green jobs and industries. Sir Keir, attempting to continue his speech, requested that they "let me finish" and assured them he would speak to them afterwards.
Security then escorted the protesters off the stage. The Labour leader was outlining his proposed reforms if he wins the next election, with the aim of ensuring an additional half a million children reach their early learning targets by 2030. He expanded on the party's intention to enhance teaching for children under the age of five.
