Starmer’s big rebuild... but it’s already crumbling
Labour leader falls in the polls and is accused of stealing ideas
SIR KEIR Starmer called for the creation of recovery bonds in his much-anticipated relaunch speech – but suffered a fresh setback as a poll found he was less popular than Boris Johnson.
The Labour leader hoped to revive his fortunes within his own party and among voters by setting out a bold vision for the country as well as a blitz of new policies.
He claimed Covid had created a ‘mood in the air’ similar to the aftermath of the Second World War, when Labour’s Clement Attlee seized power from Winston Churchill and built the welfare state.
Sir Keir said it was Labour’s ‘moral crusade’ to tackle inequality and start a new chapter for Britain, and said the Tories had created a ‘road map to yesterday’.
The ‘British recovery bond’ would raise billions to be invested in infrastructure and jobs in the wake of the economic and health crisis of the past year, he said.
Similar to other products offered by the state-run National Savings and Investments bank (NS&I), the bonds would be bought by households who have put cash away during the pandemic. ‘It would also
‘Numerically illiterate’
provide security for savers and give millions of people a proper stake in Britain’s future,’ Sir Keir said.
‘This is bold, it’s innovative. And it’s an example of the active, empowering government I believe is needed if we’re to build a more secure economy.’
He also said if he were Prime minister he would ‘back a new generation of British entrepreneurs’ by providing 100,000 start-up loans for new business.
But the Tories said neither idea was new, with the Centre for Policy Studies think-tank suggesting a Northern Recovery Bond last week, while start-up loans have run since 2012.
Amanda milling, co-chairman of the Conservative Party, said: ‘Keir Starmer said this speech would deliver his big vision for the future of the country, a “policy blitz” with ideas to rival Beveridge and relaunch his failing leadership.
‘But there are only two new policies – one taken from the Conservatives and the other from the CPS, the think tank co-founded by margaret Thatcher.
‘After ten months of Keir Starmer all Labour has to offer is others’ ideas, empty rhetoric and calling for things the Government is already doing.’
Sir Keir said he was driven by the desire to change people’s lives and right injustices, adding: ‘That’s not just about policy choices – it’s an utter determination that pulses through my veins.’
But polling by Savanta ComRes last night found he was less popular than the Prime minister.
The survey put his net favourability at minus four, down two points in the past month, while mr Johnson’s has risen from minus eight to minus two in a month. The Labour leader also fell further behind on the question of who would make the best prime minister, with 27 per cent choosing him (down from 31) compared with 43 for mr Johnson (up from 38). Sir Keir’s speech failed to win over critics on the Left who argue he is not radical enough.
The No Holding Back group, set up by Corbynite mPs Ian Lavery and Jon Trickett, tweeted: ‘Dear Keir Starmer. Labour needs a partnership with society, paid for by taxation... not a partnership with business, paid for by society.’
Howard Beckett, from Unite, Britain’s biggest trade union, said the speech was ‘numerically illiterate’. But Christina mcAnea, of the public sector union Unison, said: ‘Keir Starmer is right – what the UK needs after the pandemic is a bold change of direction, not a return to the failed austerity and spending cuts of the past.’