In a bid to become Britain's next prime minister, left-of-center politician Keir Starmer of the Labour Party presented his election manifesto in Manchester. Starmer emphasized his vision for a government that is both 'pro-business and pro-worker,' aiming to bring stability to a nation grappling with economic and political challenges.
If elected on July 4, Starmer pledged to end what he described as the 'desperate era of gestures and gimmicks' under the Conservative Party's rule. Labour currently holds a significant lead in opinion polls over the governing Conservatives, who have faced recent turmoil with the ousting of two prime ministers in quick succession.
Starmer, known for his competence but perceived as dull, is positioning Labour as a party of the stable center, distancing it from its high-taxing past. He outlined a platform focused on 'wealth creation' and acknowledged the need for tough decisions on public spending to revive the economy.
The manifesto includes long-term goals such as a new industrial policy, a 10-year infrastructure strategy, and the construction of 1.5 million new homes. Labour also aims to strengthen ties with the European Union while ruling out a return to the single market and customs union.
Regarding finances, Labour plans to raise taxes by 7.4 billion pounds by 2028-29 through measures like closing tax loopholes and extending a windfall tax on energy companies. Starmer assured that personal taxes would not increase under a Labour government.
While some within Labour seek more radical change, Starmer's cautious economic approach has garnered support from business leaders. The manifesto launch featured emotional stories from voters, highlighting issues like housing shortages and healthcare challenges.
Starmer's event at the Co-op headquarters saw a brief interruption from a climate change protester, underscoring the growing importance of environmental issues in political discourse.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the Conservative Party released his manifesto, focusing on tax cuts and immigration reduction as key promises for the upcoming election.
Starmer emphasized that his candidacy is about leadership and governance, not theatrical displays, setting the stage for a closely contested election on July 4.
