I’ll make Britain the best place to grow up and grow old in
Starmer’s vow as he aims to win SNP voters
KEIR Starmer is to appeal to former Labour voters who switched to the SNP to “take another look” at the party under his leadership.
The Labour leader will put traditional Labour values at the heart of his vision as he addresses the party’s online conference today.
Starmer will say: “My vision for Britain is simple: I want this to be the best country to grow up in and the best country to grow old in. A country in which we put family first.
“A country that embodies the values I hold dear. Decency, fairness, opportunity, compassion and security. Security for our nation, our families and all of our communities.”
Starmer will acknowledge the lack of trust in Labour that led to the collapse of the Labour vote in Scotland and some north of England constituencies under Jeremy Corbyn.
That led to the party’s worst defeat in a general election since 1935. In a direct message to people who have left Labour, Starmer will say they can trust him to bring back constructive politics.
He will say: “Trust takes time. It starts with being a credible Opposition. With taking the job seriously. That’s what we will do.
“So, to those people in Doncaster and Deeside, in Glasgow and Grimsby, in Stoke and in Stevenage to those who have turned away from Labour, I say this – we hear you.” He will add: “I ask you: take another look at Labour. We’re under new leadership. We love this country as you do.”
Starmer will push Labour’s British patriotism, which was abandoned under Corbyn.
He has already backed away from direct involvement in the independence debate by saying a second referendum would have to be “looked at” if the SNP win a majority at the next election.
Starmer will also try to move the party on from the Remain/Leave divisions of the Brexit referendum and from the Corbyn legacy by saying the party cannot return to “business as usual”.
Though few policy announcements are expected, Starmer is to stress his own values in an attempt to restore support for the party.
He will commit to “a greener, cleaner and fairer society”, in which policies are judged by what they do “for the planet tomorrow”.
Starmer will say the UK should lead by example in tackling the climate crisis while being “an active force for good in the world”.
After Boris Johnson was criticised for threatening to break international law over Brexit, Starmer will pledge to ensure the UK is “once again admired and respected”.
And he will say the way forward is “working hand-in-hand with businesses and trade unions” to create high-quality jobs.