July 3rd 2024.
Today in Manchester, Keir Starmer presented the Labour manifesto for the upcoming General Election. This is the first time in 14 years that the party has had the opportunity to share their plans for governing the country. Starmer and his shadow cabinet have been dropping hints at their intentions for months, and now they have officially revealed their six main priorities at a campaign event in May.
Among their proposals, Labour plans to freeze the "big three" taxes, inject £1.3 billion into NHS services, and establish a new Border Security Command to combat criminal gangs using small boats in the English Channel. At the launch event, Starmer declared, "The choice in this election is clear. It's either another five years of chaos under the Conservatives, with people paying £4,800 more on their mortgages, or change with Labour. It's time to end the chaos, turn the page, and rebuild Britain."
Let's take a closer look at some of the key points from the Labour manifesto. In your inbox, you can expect to find analysis, news, and viewpoints in our weekly newsletter. You can also explore what matters most to you, such as policies on immigration, tax, childcare, LGBTQ+ rights, housing, and climate change. Stay updated on your mobile by joining our WhatsApp channel for quick updates and breaking news. And for those on TikTok, you can find myth-busting, voter opinions, and news on our channel.
When it comes to national security and immigration, Labour plans to establish a new Border Security Command and hire more caseworkers to reduce the significant backlog in asylum cases. In addition, they will conduct a Strategic Defence Review in the first year of their government and set a goal to spend 2.5% of GDP on defense, which sets them apart from the Tories who plan to reach this goal by 2030. They also plan to introduce "Martyn's Law," named after Martyn Hett who tragically lost his life in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. This law will increase security measures at public events.
On the topic of the economy, Labour's big tax pledge is to not increase the "big three" taxes (VAT, National Insurance, and income tax) during the next parliament. They also plan to cap corporation tax at 25% for the entire next parliament. To generate funds, they will appoint a Covid Corruption Commissioner to recover any public money lost due to fraudulent activities during the pandemic. Another significant proposal is the establishment of a National Wealth Fund, which will be capitalized with £7.3 billion to invest in ports, car factories, carbon capture, and other ventures.
In terms of work, Labour has plans to support young adults by guaranteeing access to training, apprenticeships, or assistance in finding employment for those aged 18-21. They also plan to ban zero-hour contracts and introduce basic rights to parental leave, sick pay, and protection from unfair dismissal. Additionally, they will put an end to the practice of "fire and rehire." They also intend to remove age bands for minimum wage, ensuring that all adults receive a fair wage.
When it comes to transport, Labour pledges to fix an additional one million potholes on English roads and accelerate the installation of electric vehicle charge points. They also plan to reintroduce the phase-out date of 2030 for new cars with internal combustion engines. In a move towards public ownership, Labour will bring Britain's railways under one unified brand, known as Great British Railways. They also plan to give communities control over bus routes and timetables by granting new powers to local leaders.
In terms of the environment, Labour aims to quadruple offshore wind power and double onshore wind and treble solar power by 2030. They also plan to get the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power station up and running. They will ban fracking and stop issuing new licenses for oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. They also plan to establish a new publicly-owned power company, Great British Energy, to invest in clean power technology and promote local energy production.
On the topic of the NHS, Labour has promised to allocate £1.3 billion towards reforms, which they plan to fund by closing a tax loophole for non-doms. Their main focus is to reduce wait times for crucial care, with a goal of adding 40,000 more NHS operations, scans, and appointments in England every week. They also plan to double the number of CT and MRI scanners and train more GPs to move towards community-based healthcare. They also aim to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and hire 8,500 more mental health staff within their first term in government. Labour also envisions transforming the National Health Service into a "Neighbourhood Health Service," with a greater emphasis on primary care and community services.
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