Labour Unveils Six Campaign Promises
Sir Keir Starmer has outlined the initial steps he would take if Labour wins the next election, amidst positive opinion poll ratings.
In a pre-election presentation of its political goals, Labour has disclosed six election promises, including economic growth and robust border control.
These commitments include ensuring economic stability, reducing NHS waiting times, establishing a new Border Security Command, creating a publicly-owned clean energy company, tackling antisocial behavior, and recruiting thousands of new teachers.
Labour’s commitments are described by Sir Keir as “fully costed, fully funded, and ready to go.”
“No gimmicks. No quick fixes. My reformed Labour Party will get to work, put in the effort, and deliver for Britain,” he added.
The party has not specified a timeline, but shadow business secretary and Labour’s national campaign coordinator Pat McFadden mentioned on BBC Radio 4’s “Today” program that the promises will be implemented “as soon as possible.”
Policies
Labour aims to reduce NHS waiting times by providing 40,000 more appointments and paying doctors and nurses overtime rates. This will be funded through measures to clamp down on tax avoidance and close the “Tory non-dom loophole,” according to Sir Keir.
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The government took over the tax policy for UK residents with non-domicile status in a surprise move during the Spring Budget.
An oversight in the policy will allow foreign assets placed in an overseas trust before the April 2025 deadline to be permanently excluded from inheritance tax.
Labour criticized the policy, stating it will “benefit some of the wealthiest individuals in Britain.”
Another contentious issue—cracking down on illegal immigration—has been the flagship policy of the Conservatives ahead of the upcoming general election.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is determined to prevent small boats carrying illegal immigrants to British shores through the government’s Rwanda scheme. However, Labour stated that if they come into power, they will replace the Rwanda policy with a new multi-agency Border Security Command to combat people smuggling gangs.
Under Labour’s plans, immigrants who arrived in the UK illegally since last March will be able to apply for asylum.
The opposition also pledged to ensure economic stability through strict fiscal rules.
In a dig at former Conservative leader Liz Truss, Labour promised they would “never repeat the mini-budget that caused mortgage rates to soar.”
Additionally, Labour mentioned they will reduce energy costs and establish a publicly-owned clean energy company called Great British Energy, hire 6,500 new teachers and additional neighborhood police, and introduce severe penalties for offenders.
Pledges and Missions
The six Labour pledges follow five national missions outlined by the party last year. Sir Keir pledged to strengthen the economy, transform Britain into a clean energy superpower, enhance the NHS, create safer streets, and improve opportunities for all citizens.
Prior to winning the party leadership in 2020, he campaigned on delivering ten issues, some of which have been dropped by Labour since then.
The party moved away from pledges to eliminate tuition fees, nationalize public services, and ensure freedom of movement post-Brexit.
In response to the new promises on Thursday, the Conservative Party posted on the social media platform X: “Keir Starmer’s 4 years as Labour leader: 10 pledges, 5 missions, and 6 new commitments later, you still can’t trust a word he says.”
The Tories also questioned Sir Keir’s claim that he has transformed Labour to better serve the working people.
“They remain the same old Labour party that would take us back to square one without a plan to secure Britain’s future,” stated Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden.
Currently, Labour holds a 44 percent advantage in opinion polls over the Conservatives with 19 percent. However, the opposition aims to convince voters to choose Labour for Labour’s sake and not just due to a lack of confidence in the Conservatives.
