Last week Leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer gave an important speech in East London about why Britain needs a change. For a new Britain, and for hope. You can read the full speech here and watch it on YouTube here.
Britain needs a change.
For too long our economy, our public services and our communities have suffered from the sticking plaster politics of the past twelve years of Conservative governments.
The short-term mind-set that has dominated the Conservatives’ time in government has infected all the institutions which try and fail to run Britain from the centre.
Our local community has also suffered from this year’s unprecedented national crises. Children turning up to school hungry. Parents unable to get mental health assessments for their children. Small businesses struggling. Hospitals begging patients to stay away from A&E. Police forces too short staffed to investigate crimes in the community. Long waits for a driving test. The list goes on.
And on the economy, the country is still paying the price for the damage done by Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng with rising mortgage payments, inflation and interest rates.
In the coming weeks the Labour Party will set out new missions for national renewal, for growing our economy, and for delivering a fairer, greener Britain.
Keir Starmer has already announced how Labour will modernise central government so it becomes dynamic, agile, strategic and focused, with power closer to people.
A future Labour government will introduce a Take Back Control Act in its first year as the initial step in its plans to oversee the biggest transfer of power from Westminster in British history.
These powers will include skills, employment support, transport, energy, housing, culture, childcare and more. The Act will put into law the expectation that more key services should be delivered at a local level with the public involved in shaping them. It will mean renewal for local Government and more jobs in our local communities.
As Labour begins to shape its plans ahead of a General Election, I look forward to working with you to have your say, and to work together to see Labour back in Government and the renewal of Britain we so desperately need.