Labour has promised its manifesto will have “wealth creation” at its heart, ahead of the document’s launch.
Sir Keir Starmer will take to the stage in Manchester on Thursday in an effort to convince the public he has the right policies to earn the keys to Number 10.
The Labour leader is expected to say that “growth is our core business – the end and the means of national renewal”, as he pledges to bring Britain’s finances back on to a steady footing.
And he will insist his Labour government – if it wins the election on 4 July – will be both “pro-business and pro-worker”.
The party has consistently led the polls over the past three weeks of the campaign, putting it around 20 points ahead of the Tories.
But party officials fear complacency could see them fail to cross the line at the ballot box in three weeks’ time, as well as surveys showing the public has yet to warm to Sir Keir – even if they favour him over Rishi Sunak.
The manifesto launch will be a chance for him to convince floating voters by outlining Labour’s plans for power, though a party source told Sky News it would be a “slim” document.
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On the economy, Sir Keir will offer “tough new spending rules to allow businesses to plan”, as well as a cap on corporation tax of 25% and promises of industry investment.
But he will also commit to Labour’s “new deal for working people”, including better childcare, better pay, and help for people to get back into employment.
The leader will pledge to overhaul planning rules with a new 10-year infrastructure strategy for rail, road and homes, and will reiterate plans to “shift power away from Westminster” by giving new responsibilities to regional mayors.
And he will promise to reform the immigration and skills system in the UK “to ensure Britain is developing home-grown skills with workforce plans to meet the needs of industries and the economy”.
Sir Keir will say: “Some people say that how you grow the economy is not a central question – that it’s not about how you create wealth, but how you tax it, how you spend it, how you slice the cake, that’s all that matters.
“So let me be crystal clear – this manifesto is a total rejection of that argument, because if you transform the nature of the jobs market, change the infrastructure that supports investment into our economy, reform the planning regime, start to unlock the potential of billions upon billions in projects that are ready to go, held up by the blockers of aspiration, then that does so much more to our long-term growth prospects.”
He will add: “We have a plan in this manifesto that represents a total change in direction, that is laser-focused on our cause. A government back in the service of you and your family.”
Richard Holden, chairman of the Conservative Party, said: “Labour aren’t being honest with the public; they are refusing to say what they would really do because they know it would lose them votes.
“Labour will tax your family home, tax your pension, tax your job and tax your car and drag pensioners into the retirement tax.
“Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner are asking for a blank cheque and it’s becoming clear what he wants to do with it – put up your taxes.
“Only Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives have a clear plan to cut taxes, backed by bold action, to chart a course to a more secure future for Britain.”
Source Agencies
