Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have promised economic stability and a reformed Labour Party ahead of the general election. Here’s the full story.
Inaugural Speech
In his inaugural speech following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pulling the starting gun on the general election campaign, Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader, declared that he had fundamentally reformed the party.
“Country First, Party Second”
In his speech, Starmer declared that he would “fight for” voters and clarified that by putting “country first, party second,” voters could trust Labour to deliver economic stability and safeguard national security.
Small “C” Conservatives
To win over many of the nation’s small “c” conservative voters, Starmer highlighted his significant changes to the Labour Party since becoming leader in April 2020.
“Has Labour Changed Enough?”
Starmer stated, “I know there are countless people who haven’t decided how they’ll vote in this election. They’re fed up with the failure, chaos and division of the Tories, but they still have questions about us: has Labour changed enough?”
“I Have Changed This Party Permanently”
He added, “Do I trust them with my money, our borders, our security? My answer is yes, you can, because I have changed this party permanently.”
Deeply Personal Speech
Starmer’s speech was deeply personal. He drew on his upbringing in Oxted, Surrey, during the dark economic days of the 1970s and his memories of being raised by his father, a tool maker, and his mother, a nurse whose illness profoundly impacted their family.
“Out of Control Inflation”
Reflecting on these experiences, he noted, “I know what out of control inflation feels like, how the rising cost-of-living can make you scared of the postman coming down the path: ‘will he bring another bill we can’t afford’?”
Values and Vision
Starmer framed the upcoming election as a choice beyond mere policies and focused his speech on values and his vision for the country.
“Whose Side Are You On?”
Starmer said the general election was “about more than individual changes and policies, but about values, temperament, character and a bigger question: whose side are you on? Who do you hold in your mind’s eye when you are making decisions?”
“I Have Fought”
He added, “Everything I have fought for has been shaped by my life, every change I have made to this party has been about a cause, the answer to that question, the only answer: the working people of this country delivering on their aspirations, earning their respect, serving their interests.”
“Dangerous New Point”
Starmer also referenced the Post Office Horizon and infected blood scandals, warning that the country was reaching a “dangerous new point” where public trust in institutions was rapidly eroding.
“Stacked Against Them”
Starmer stated, “For a long time now, working people have believed opportunity in Britain is stacked against them.”
“Crossing a Rubicon of Trust”
He added, “But now we are at a dangerous new point, close to crossing a Rubicon of trust, not just in politics but in many of the institutions that are meant to serve and protect the British people.”
“Not a Single Plan”
However, the post did not impress Rishi Sunak, who replied to a video of the speech on X, formerly Twitter, saying simply: “Not a single plan for the future.”
Supporting Starmers Vision
Despite this, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves was also on the campaign trail to support Starmer’s vision, ruling out any increases in income tax or National Insurance if Labour wins the election.
Lower Taxes
Speaking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, Reeves stated, “What I want and Keir wants is taxes on working people to be lower and we certainly won’t be increasing income tax or national insurance if we win at the election. We opposed the increases to national insurance when Rishi Sunak put those forward as chancellor.”
“£64 Billion of Unfunded Tax Cuts”
She added, “Unlike the Conservatives, who have already racked up £64 billion of unfunded tax cuts in just three days of this campaign, I will never play fast and loose with the public finances, I will never put forward unfunded proposals.”
“Same Old Labour”
However, Economic Secretary to the Treasury Bim Afolami said that Reeves represented “the same old Labour Party who have no plan to cut taxes and instead are leaving hard-working families to foot the bill for their unfunded spending commitments.”
“Back to Square One”
He added that voters had a choice between “a clear and bold plan to cut taxes, and end the double tax on work, under Rishi Sunak, or going back to square one with the same old Labour Party, who as soon as they run out of money will come after yours.”
Windfall Tax on Energy Firms
Despite the criticism, Labour has outlined specific measures to fund its promises. Reeves mentioned plans to raise money by ending the VAT exemption for private schools and extending the windfall tax on energy firms.
£5 Billion
Labour also aims to generate £5 billion annually by tackling tax avoidance and evasion and closing loopholes related to the controversial non-dom scheme.
Avoid Paying Tax
Non-doms are UK residents like Rishi Sunak’s wife who, for tax purposes, register their permanent home abroad, allowing them to avoid paying UK tax on income earned overseas.
Challenges Ahead
Starmer and Reeves acknowledged the challenges ahead, with the Institute of Fiscal Studies warning of potential tax rises or public service cuts regardless of the election outcome.
Undecided Voters
As the campaign unfolds, it remains to be seen if Starmer’s vision for Labour will be enough to persuade undecided voters and secure a mandate for change.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Martin Suker.