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Posted: Thu 23rd Feb 2023
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to ensure Britain "gets its future back" as he set out five missions that will be the focus of a government if he wins the next general election.
Speaking in Manchester, he laid out the themes that will form the basis of Labour's manifesto. They are:
"Secure the highest sustained growth in the G7, with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off."
"Make Britain a clean energy superpower to create jobs, cut bills and boost energy security with zero-carbon electricity by 2030, accelerating to net zero. We will set out measurable goals with similar ambition for the remaining three missions over the coming months."
"Build an NHS fit for the future by reforming health and care services to speed up treatment, harnessing life sciences and technology to reduce preventable illness, and cutting health inequalities."
"Make Britain's streets safe by reforming the police and justice system, to prevent crime, tackle violence against women, and stop criminals getting away without punishment."
"Break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage, for every child, by reforming the childcare and education systems, raising standards everywhere, and preparing young people for work and life."
Sir Keir said his goal for the economy will be achieved "by the end of the first term" of a Labour government. He is expected to outline more details for each mission in further speeches, starting with the economy next Monday at a "roundtable with business leaders".
During the speech in Manchester's Co-Op building, the Labour leader said each of his pledges will come with a "measurable goal, the building blocks of a clear strategy and the first steps of a credible long term plan".
His first priority is boosting economic growth, he added, describing it as "the oxygen for our ambitions".
Sir Keir also promised to tackle Brexit:
"When we say growth needs an economy that is resilient to global shocks and open to global trade that means we will use levers like procurement to build-up those supply chains that are critical for our security. And we will fix the Brexit deal. Reset our relationship with the EU."
Saying the UK has been damaged due to "lurching from crisis to crisis, he accused the Conservative Party of offering "a sticking plaster, never a cure".
Concluding his speech, Sir Keir said he will deliver:
"...a mission driven government that will end sticking plaster politics, will unlock the pride and purpose that is in every community, will give this country its confidence, its hope, its future back. Now is the time for us all to be part of something bigger. And to say with one voice: why not Britain?"
Prime minister Rishi Sunak has also made five pledges for the UK including halving inflation and growing the economy.
