Labour won't "spend our way" out of Tories "mess"- Starmer

The Labour leader has been setting out his vision for the country in a speech in London

Author: Liam ArrowsmithPublished 5th Jan 2023

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said his party will not "spend our way out" of the "mess" inherited from the Conservatives, if they get into power.

He's been setting out his blueprint for the country in his first major speech of the new year in east London.

Starmer told the audience that fresh pledges "should not be "taken as code for Labour getting its big government chequebook out again".

But he said: "Of course, investment is required - I can see the damage the Tories have done to our public services as plainly as anyone.

"But we won't be able to spend our way out of their mess - it's not as easy as that.

"There is no substitute for a robust, private sector, creating wealth in every community."

Labour will create "hope you can build your future around"

Sir Keir's first speech of 2023 comes a day after the Prime Minister delivered his own address, promising to halve inflation, deal with NHS waiting lists, and tackle small boats crossing the English Channel.

The Opposition leader is to pledged to create the "sort of hope you can build your future around".

Speaking about the future of the country, Sir Keir said: "This new year, let us imagine what we could achieve if we match the ambition of the British people, unlock their pride and their purpose, give them an economy and a politics they deserve.

"That's why I say Britain needs a completely new way of governing.

"You can't overstate how much a short-term mindset dominates Westminster, and, from there, how it infects all the institutions which try, and fail, to run Britain from the centre."

On the NHS, the Labour leader talked about how the crises affecting the country have each been "an iceberg on the horizon".

The new approach to governing will be driven by "national missions", which Labour is expected to set out in the coming weeks, and which the Opposition will use to build its next election manifesto.

Conservative Party chairman Nadhim Zahawi said the speech will be "yet another desperate relaunch attempt".

"Every week he changes his position depending on what he thinks is popular - from supporting free movement to supporting the unions, he'll say anything if the politics suits him," he said.

"He should stop giving cliche-laden speeches and, instead, finally unveil a plan for people's priorities."

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