SIR KEIR Starmer is ready to challenge Nigel Farage to a live TV showdown as Labour scramble to counter Reform surge. 

Allies of the PM say he’s ready to take on Nigel direct and slam plans his plans to exclude anyone paying less than £20,000 from income tax as an NHS destroying plan.  

Multiple polls show the right-wing insurgents beating both Labour and the Tories, with the bookies slashing the odds of Farage taking power at the next election.

But before the country goes to the polls the PM will give Mr Farage an unprecedented live TV debate platform.

It is understood that the PM feels Nigel Farage and Reform are a far greater threat to his government that the Tories under Kemi Badenoch.

Sources familiar with his thinking say if an election was held tomorrow it would be a “straight fight” between Labour and Reform.

But No10 are planning to dramatically increase their attacks on Farage after his local election breakthrough and recent by-election win.

Last night Mr Farage told The Sun: “I accept his offer”.