Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer speaks as he launches Labour’s general election manifesto on June 13, 2024 in Manchester, England. According to the latest YouGov data, Labor has been leading the polls by more than 20 points.
Anthony Devlin | Getty Images News | Getty Images
LONDON – Britain’s left-leaning Labor Party, considered a frontrunner in the upcoming national election, said Thursday it would be “pro-business” and prioritize “creating wealth” as it released its manifesto.
The party’s key promises include creating a new publicly owned energy company, banning new North Sea oil and gas licenses, reducing patient waiting times in the strained NHS and renationalizing most passenger rail services.
“Economic growth and social justice must go hand in hand,” Starmer said in a headline-grabbing speech on Thursday, calling it “a manifesto to create wealth, a plan to transform Britain”.
Starmer said labor policy was “cost-conscious”, adding: “You can’t be fast and loose with public finances.”
Much of the manifesto has been previously flagged by the party, including promises to increase windfall taxes on oil and gas companies, scrap tax breaks for private schools and close schools that have already closed. describe A “tax loophole” for private equity investors. The party also confirmed that it will recognize the Palestinian state, saying that statehood is “the inalienable right of the Palestinian people.” The pledge comes after months of division within the party over its response to Israel’s war with Hamas.
“We cannot afford another five years of high taxes, low growth and broken Conservative promises,” Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said at the launch ceremony in Manchester, referring to the current Conservative party. The Conservatives believe Labor lacks a clear national plan and will raise taxes on working families.
“When we grow, it will be in every corner of the country.”
The second speaker at the event was Richard Walker, executive chairman of British grocery chain Iceland, who said only Labor could change the UK’s “dismal economic performance trajectory”.
The 135-page manifesto focuses on the areas of economy, education, health, energy and crime.
“Creating wealth is my first priority,” Labor leader Keir Starmer said on social platform X on Thursday. “My changed Labor Party has a plan for growth. We support business and workers.”
tax discharge
In a debate earlier this month, Starmer Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak has vowed not to increase value-added tax (VAT) or national insurance, a general tax on workers.
Sunak sparked controversy after claiming Labour’s policies would raise taxes by £2,000 ($2,556) per household in the next parliament. Starmer called the claim “rubbish” and said it was based on “fabricated Labor policy”.
Institute for Fiscal Studies Think Tank defendant Leaders from both parties have failed to be transparent about cuts to public spending if they are to maintain their pledges to reduce Britain’s net debt.
The Conservatives released their manifesto on Tuesday, promising to cut national insurance by 2p, introduce compulsory national service, cut immigration by half and introduce a scheme to help first-time buyers.
Polls have been going on for several years tip Labor achieved a substantial victory over the Conservatives, who had been in power for 14 years. National security is another area where both sides are attacking each other, with Defense Secretary Grant Shapps claiming Labor would “turn the UK into an undefended target”. Labor said it would “maintain an unshakable commitment to NATO and our nuclear deterrent and refocus on boosting morale in our armed forces”.
However, Labour’s shift to the political center under Starmer has been recognized by business leaders and financial markets arouse controversy and a split with the left wing of the party.
The main trade union federations are reject According to the BBC, support for Labour’s manifesto comes amid concerns that Labor is failing to protect the rights and jobs of workers in the oil and gas industry.
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