Yesterday (18 February), Labour Leader Keir Starmer delivered a speech to the nation outlining the Labour Party’s plan for the future.

The pandemic has highlighted more than ever the stark inequalities and injustices in the UK. It has led to a fork in the road of Britain’s future. We can either carry on with the Conservatives’ failed ideology and continue weakening Britain’s foundations and exposing ourselves to disasters such as Covid-19. Or, we can take a new path, a new prosperous future, with the Labour Party.

The Conservatives do not believe in the power of the state to deliver social justice and equality, which is why they always fall back on the short-term demands of the market. The Labour Party knows that the state is crucial to addressing the nation’s injustices.

Labour would work in active partnership with businesses to create better, fairer opportunities in the future for all. It would protect families and businesses by: reversing the planned £20 cut in Universal Credit; reversing the key worker pay freeze; providing councils with adequate funding, and giving businesses the breathing space they need by tackling debt and extending the VAT cut.

Labour would also introduce a new British Recovery Bond, allowing people who have accumulated savings during the pandemic to have a proper stake in Britain’s future.

This is no time for a second wave of Conservative austerity. The first round hit the country hard enough already. Only Labour can ensure that Britain recovers fully and fairly from the pandemic.

Commenting on Keir’s speech, Luke said:

“Keir Starmer was spot on to say that people shouldn’t have to leave their home town to get a good job. This is especially important for the Southwest, as we need to retain the amazing talent our region has.

“The policies put forward by Keir are what Britain and its businesses need now. It is what we need to keep people in work and create jobs.

“We cannot return to business as usual. We need to build something better.”