Keir Starmer has given a dynamic speech on Tuesday, making promises such as prioritising growth, help for key workers and to tackle the cracks and divisions demonstrated in recent civil unrest, but has also warned about tough times ahead.
In particular the PM has warned that the October budget will be ‘painful’. Mr Starmer stated that difficult and unpopular decisions must be made now in order to lay the foundations needed to build the UK’s future.
One key point is that “£22 billion black hole in public finances” that he claims was only discovered once his administration had come to power, and that this can only be addressed by short – term pain for long – term gain.
Mr Starmer stated: “We have not just inherited an economic black hole, but a societal black hole.”
As part of this difficult times, he answered why the controversial move to cut the winter fuel allowance for pensioners – something that is already causing outcry. Defending the move, Mr Starmer gave his view that it was unavoidable in order to tackle the shortfall in public finances.
The new system will see winter fuel payments being means – tested, meaning only those on pension credit will receive them.
Mr Starmer said: “I didn’t want to means test the winter fuel payment – but it was a choice that we had to make. A choice to protect the most vulnerable pensioners, while doing what is necessary to repair the public finances.”
Another key issue addressed in the speech was his plans to heal the cracks in society that have been so shockingly demonstrated in the recent riots that have rocked the UK and caused distress and damage to cities across the country.
Addressing the situation, Mr Starmer put this down to 14 years of populism and failure by the previous Conservative government.
Pledging to take action and to continue to pursue tough sentencing for those who commit acts of damage and violence, Mr Starmer talked of his disgusted at rioters terrorising people and making Nazi salutes.
However, Mr Starmer he also spoke of his admiration for the communities who came together in the areas effected by the riots, to help clean up and stand together.
“The riots didn’t only convey the sickness. They also revealed the cure. Found not in the cynical conflict of populism, but in the coming together of the country. The people who got together the morning after, all around the country, with their brooms, their shovels their trowels, to clean up their community. They reminded us of who we truly are.”
He further commented of the riots: “They also showcased the strength of our communities coming together to clean up and support each other the morning after.”
Looking to the future, Mr Starmer put forward his plans to focus on helping with the hopes and ambitions of working people, in particular pursing the levelling up agenda to help poorer areas.
Mr Starmer also promised to protect taxpayers, build more homes, harness the power of Artificial Intelligence for the public good and to improve transport and infrastructure by bringing the railways into public ownership.
He stated his vison for the future, and his task now: “I won’t shy away from making unpopular decisions now if it’s the right thing to do for the country in the long term”.
