Sir Keir Starmer has effectively launched his party’s campaign for the next general election, listing the six things he would do first after stepping into Number 10.
Earlier this week, the Labour leader told his shadow cabinet they will be moving on to the ‘next phase of our strategy’ after the local elections earlier this month, in which the party added 186 councillors to its tally.
It involves showing Brits ‘the real difference a Labour government will make to their lives’, he said.
A list of his six main priorities has now been released, revealing how the party would tackle issues including the NHS, border security and sky-high energy bills if it wins power.
Starmer said: ‘These first steps make real our claim that a changed Labour Party is back in service of working people.
‘They show our priorities, what we care about and what the British public cares about. Country first, party second.
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He added: ‘These first steps will make a real difference to people’s lives.
‘If you’re waiting in pain for NHS treatment, if your child is at school and you want higher standards, if your local area is plagued by anti-social behaviour, if you want cheaper energy bills for good, these first steps show what a Labour government will do to help you.’
In addition to the six main focuses of the campaign, Labour’s plans also include the construction of 1.5 million homes, a ‘new deal for working people’, and new powers for mayors and combined authorities.
The announcement comes four days after Rishi Sunak delivered a major speech at the Policy Exchange in central London, which was seen by some as the effective launch of the Conservative general election campaign.
Starmer’s ‘First Steps to Change Britain’
- Economy: “Deliver economic stability with tough spending rules, so we can grow our economy and keep taxes, inflation and mortgages as low as possible.”
- Healthcare: “Cut NHS waiting times with 40,000 more appointments each week, during evenings and weekends, paid for by cracking down on tax avoidance and non-dom loopholes.”
- Borders: “Launch a new Border Security Command with hundreds of new specialist investigators and use counter-terror powers to smash the criminal boat gangs.”
- Energy: “Set up Great British Energy, a publicly owned clean power company, to cut bills for good and boost energy security, paid for by a windfall tax on oil and gas giants.”
- Crime: “Crack down on antisocial behaviour with more neighbourhood police paid for by ending wasteful contracts, tough new penalties for offenders, and a new network of youth hubs.”
- Education: “Recruit 6,500 new teachers in key subjects to prepare children for life, work and the future, paid for by ending tax breaks for private schools.”
He painted a picture of a world riddled with numerous threats – including immigration, AI, Russia and China – and argued that only the Tories were equipped to tackle them.
The PM said: ‘I feel a profound sense of urgency because more will change in the next five years than in the last 30.
‘I’m convinced that the next few years will be some of the most dangerous yet most transformational our country has ever known.’
He told journalists said he believes the UK would be less safe with Keir Starmer as prime minister, and said Labour have no plan for the future of the country.
The next general election is expected to be held in the second half of this year, with November currently the bookies’ favourite month for it to take place.
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