June 13th 2024.
Today in Manchester, Keir Starmer officially launched the Labour manifesto for the upcoming General Election. After 14 years of being out of power, the party is eager to outline their plans for the country if they are elected into government.
Starmer and his shadow cabinet have been teasing their ideas for months, but it wasn't until today that they revealed their six main priorities at a soft-launch event in May. These priorities include the creation of a publicly owned power company, GB Energy, and the establishment of a new Border Security Command to address criminal activities in the English Channel.
Bringing all of their pledges and proposals together in one document, the Labour manifesto is a detailed blueprint for how the country could be run for the next decade. If current polling is any indication, this could be the plan that guides the future of the country.
At the launch event, Starmer expressed that the choice in this election is between "five more years of chaos under the Conservatives" or a much-needed change with the Labour party. It's clear that they are determined to make a difference and rebuild Britain.
But what exactly does the Labour manifesto entail? Here are some of the key points that were highlighted at the launch event.
National security and immigration are top priorities for the party. Along with the establishment of the Border Security Command, Labour plans to hire more caseworkers to address the current backlog of asylum cases. They also aim to launch a Strategic Defence Review in their first year in office, with a goal of spending 2.5% of GDP on defense. Additionally, a new law named after Martyn Hett, who tragically lost his life in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, will be introduced to increase security at public events.
In terms of the economy, Labour has promised to not increase the "big three" taxes - VAT, National Insurance, and income tax - in the next parliament. They also plan to cap corporation tax at 25% for the entire term. To generate more revenue, a Covid Corruption Commissioner will be appointed to recover public funds lost due to pandemic-related fraud. The party also plans to establish a National Wealth Fund, which will invest in various industries such as ports, car factories, and carbon capture.
Labour is also focused on supporting workers. They plan to ban zero-hour contracts, provide basic rights for parental leave and sick pay, and put an end to the practice of "fire and rehire." They also aim to remove age bands for minimum wage, ensuring that all adults receive a living wage. Additionally, a Race Equality Act will be introduced to guarantee equal pay for black, Asian, and other ethnic minority groups, and the same will be done for disabled individuals.
Transport is another critical issue for the party. They have promised to fix one million potholes on English roads, accelerate the installation of electric vehicle charge points, and reintroduce the phase-out date of 2030 for new cars with internal combustion engines. Labour also plans to bring Britain's railways into public ownership and give communities more control over bus routes and timetables.
In terms of the environment, Labour has ambitious goals. They plan to quadruple offshore wind power, double onshore wind power, and triple solar power by 2030. They also aim to get the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station up and running and put a stop to new licenses for oil and gas exploration. A new publicly owned power company, Great British Energy, will also be established to invest in clean energy technology and promote local energy production.
The National Health Service (NHS) is a top priority for Labour. They plan to shift resources to primary care and community services, with a goal of creating a "Neighbourhood Health Service." The manifesto also promises 40,000 more NHS operations, scans, and appointments every week, a new fund to double the number of CT and MRI scanners, and the recruitment of 8,500 more mental health staff within their first term. Labour also wants to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and guarantee face-to-face appointments for all who need them.
Overall, the Labour manifesto outlines a detailed plan for the future of the country. With a focus on national security, the economy, workers' rights, the environment, and the NHS, they aim to make significant changes if elected into government. It's now up to the voters to decide if they want to see these plans put into action.
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