Key Highlights:
- Labor proposes implementing a ‘fiscal lock’ to ensure a reduction in government debt as a proportion of GDP within the final year of a 5-year projection
- Labor endeavors to strike a balance between toughness and pragmatism on migration issues with the proposal for a robust ‘Border Security Command’.
- While most of the public’s top priorities are included in Starmer’s list, there is no explicit reference to tackling climate change
Keir Starmer is channeling a bit of Tony Blair’s magic. But are the Labor leader’s new Blair-inspired promises compelling enough to win over voters?
Back in 1997, Blair made headlines with his unveiling of a ‘pledge card’ outlining key commitments. This move aimed to succinctly communicate Labor’s platform to the electorate, positioning Blair as the focal point of the party’s centrist transformation and a viable candidate for prime minister.
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Britain’s yet-to-be-declared election fervor intensified on Thursday, May 16, as opposition Labor Party leader Keir Starmer unveiled his 6 pivotal pledges to ‘Rebuild Britain’ aimed at propelling him into the role of the UK’s next prime minister later this year.
Despite Labor’s substantial setback in the 2019 election, recent opinion polls show Starmer’s party comfortably leading Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives, positioning Starmer as the frontrunner for Britain’s helm.
So, how do the six pledges compare, and what potential pitfalls might they present?
Starmer Aims to Steer Clear of Economic Uncertainty
Starmer, alongside Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, pledged that Labor will champion ‘economic stability’ should they triumph in the election. Central to this commitment are various measures aimed at averting the economic turbulence witnessed during Liz Truss’ brief tenure as Tory prime minister in 2022.
The party proposes implementing a ‘fiscal lock’, akin to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s strategy of ensuring a reduction in government debt as a proportion of GDP within the final year of a 5-year projection. However, adhering to the Tories’ ‘fiscal rules’ poses risks for Labor, as current forecasts do not anticipate a decrease in debt, and all spending hinges on uncertain projections.
Labor further commits to establishing an Office for Value for Money, reducing government consultancy expenditure by half, and curbing excessive Whitehall hiring to reallocate funds toward public services through rigorous efficiency measures.
Although Starmer maintains his ambition for achieving the ‘highest sustained’ economic growth among G7 nations, the wording of the new economic pledge reflects a more moderate approach.
The Race to Reduce Waiting times
No political agenda is complete without addressing the challenges facing the National Health Service (NHS). A recent report from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine revealed that over 250 patients in England might be experiencing avoidable deaths every week as a consequence of prolonged wait times.
In 2024, this entails tackling its formidable waiting list for treatments, which currently exceeds 7.5 million cases, andnearly 8 million operations and appointments are needed.
Starmer’s commitment to reducing waiting times echoes Rishi Sunak’s pledge made in early 2023. However, despite Sunak’s promise, waiting lists have continued to grow, albeit showing slight improvement in 2024.
Labor aims to alleviate this by providing an additional 40,000 hospital appointments weekly, including weekends and evenings. Funding for this initiative will be sourced from addressing tax avoidance, a common strategy for financing commitments without raising taxes directly.
Labor’s Alternative to Sunak’s ‘Stop the Boats’ Strategy
Rishi Sunak has positioned his commitment to ‘stop the boats’ as a central aspect of his leadership, fully endorsing the government’s strategy to deport individuals arriving via Channel crossings to Rwanda. However, Labor has criticized the plan as a mere ‘gimmick’ and is proposing a solution to address the issue.
Labor endeavors to strike a balance between toughness and pragmatism on migration issues with the proposal for a robust ‘Border Security Command’. This initiative includes a ‘fast-track returns and enforcement unit’ to address the asylum backlog and the recruitment of specialized enforcement personnel, investigators, and intelligence agents, funded by discontinuing the government’s Rwanda deportation scheme.
‘Great British Energy’ to Deliver Carbon-Free Power by 2030
Great British Energy stands out as one of Keir’s initial flagship policies, unveiled during Labor’s party conference in 2022. Its significance has only grown as energy prices surged amidst the conflict with Ukraine backed by an £8.3 billion investment over the parliamentary term.
This entity will focus on green energy projects to support Labor’s ambitious goal of a nearly carbon-free electricity system by 2030.
While reminiscent of successful European state-backed energy firms, the feasibility of achieving comparable success quickly is uncertain. Nonetheless, Starmer emphasizes the potential benefits, including reduced vulnerability to global energy price fluctuations.
Crime Crackdown or Campaign Rhetoric?
One perennially raised concern during election season is crime, and Labor has pledged to address anti-social behavior as part of its platform on this issue through increased neighborhood policing, tougher penalties, and the establishment of youth hubs.
While reminiscent of past Labor initiatives, this pledge lacks specificity and measurable targets, potentially allowing for a flexible interpretation of success. The party commits to deploying an additional 13,000 police and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to tackle antisocial behavior, emphasizing community involvement in setting policing priorities.
Push for 6,500 New Teachers
The Labor leader’s ultimate ‘first steps’ commitment revolves around education, forming a crucial component of his overarching vow to ‘eradicate obstacles to opportunity at every juncture’.
Labor promises to recruit 6,500 new teachers in key subjects to bolster education standards. Funding for this initiative will be generated by ending tax breaks for private schools.
While the target is specific, concerns linger regarding its adequacy in addressing the ongoing teacher recruitment crisis and the challenges faced by schools in the aftermath of the pandemic.
The Missing link in Starmer’s Pledges
While most of the public top priorities are included in Starmer’s list, there is no explicit reference to tackling climate change, which has consistently ranked among the top issues for voters. The issue isn’t completely absent, as a pledge to create a ‘publicly-owned clean power company’ is number 4 on Starmer’s list.
However, previous mentions of achieving ‘net zero’ have been removed. This shift follows the party’s reversal on its £28 billion climate plan and its post-Uxbridge by-election criticism of Sadiq Khan’s clean air policies, indicating the political direction Labor is taking.
Lastly, Labor’s ‘six steps’ notably feature Keir Starmer front and center, labeled as ‘My first steps for change’ alongside a prominent image of Starmer. Despite Starmer’s historically low ratings for an opposition leader, especially in comparison to Sunak, Labor seems confident in his ability to lead a presidential-style campaign. This choice sheds light on Labor’s strategy for the upcoming general election.
