, Prime Minister of the United
Kingdom, will today (Tuesday 24 September) set out his new Labour
government's plans to “build a new Britain”, saying that the
tough decisions he is taking for the short term are the first
step on the journey of “national renewal” to a country with
higher living standards, one that “once again serves the
interests of working people… a Britain that belongs to you.”
The Prime Minister will say that “country first, Party
second” is the foundation of his project, “a pact with working
people that we must fulfil.” He will also talk his desire to
unite the whole country in the mission of creating “a Britain
built to last, built with respect and built with
pride.” He will say:
“The politics of national renewal are collective. They involve a
shared struggle. A project that says, to everyone, this will be
tough in the short-term, but in the long-term - it's the right
thing to do for our country. And we all benefit from that.”
The Prime Minister will tell the country that the
short-term pain of tough decisions means the long-term gain -
from higher living standards to lower waiting lists - for the
country will come much quicker:
“The truth is that if we take tough long-term decisions now, if
we stick to the driving purpose behind everything we do: higher
economic growth - so living standards rise in every community;
our NHS facing the future - waiting lists at your hospital down;
safer streets in your community; stronger borders; more
opportunities for your children; clean British energy powering
your home; making our country more secure... then that light at
the end of this tunnel, that Britain that belongs to you, we get
there much more quickly.”
Starmer will also directly address those fed-up with
politics as usual or anxious about the future, saying that this
Labour government will deliver through its actions. He will
say:
“I know this country is exhausted by and with politics. I know
that the cost-of-living crisis drew a veil over the joy and
wonder in our lives and that people want respite and relief, and
may even have voted Labour for that reason. Our project has not
and never will change. I changed the Labour Party to restore it
to the service of working people. And that is exactly what we
will do for Britain. But I will not do it with easy answers. I
will not do it with false hope.”
He will tell the annual Party Conference in Liverpool that the
changes made to the Party in Opposition are permanent and that
the ‘work of service never stops.' A pact with working
people that we must fulfil, to retain the privilege of serving
their interests.
The Prime Minister will say that his Labour government
has delivered more in 11 weeks than the previous administration
did in 14 years – and that there is far more to come:
“A Government of Service must act in everything it does to show -
to the working people of this country, that
politics can be a force for good, that it can be
on the side of truth and justice, and that
it can secure a better life for your family through the
steady but uncompromising work of service.
“Make no mistake, the work of
change has begun. Planning – reformed. Doctors -
back in theatre. New solar projects. New offshore wind projects.
The onshore ban – lifted. Great British Energy – launched.
One-word Ofsted judgements – ended. MPs second jobs – banned. A
Border Security Command. A National Wealth Fund - getting Britain
Building Again. The Renters Reform Bill - stopping no fault
evictions. The Railway Services Bill – bringing our railways back
into public ownership.
“And we're only just getting started.”
He will warn that the £22 billion blackhole left by the
Conservative government has made things harder but that it will
not stop us delivering for working people:
“It will be hard. That's not rhetoric, it's reality. It's not
just that financial black hole, the £22bn of unfunded spending
commitments, concealed from our country by the Tories, it's not
just the societal black hole – our decimated public services
leaving communities held together by little more than good will -
it's also the political black hole.
“Just because we all want low taxes and good public services,
does not mean that the iron law of properly funding policies can
be ignored. We have the seen the damage that does, and I will not
let that happen again. I will not let Tory economic recklessness
hold back the working people of this country.“
The Prime Minister will say reform of the UK economy and
public services by a decisive government will be vital to
rebuilding the country to serve working people once
again:
“We have to become serious and mission-led, and have to put
respect and service deep in the bones of our institutions. That's
not a debate about investment or reform, it's always been
both.
“But again, I have to warn you, working people do want more
decisive government. They do want us to rebuild our public
services and they do want that to lead to more control in their
lives. But their pockets are not deep - not at all. So we have to
be a great reforming government.“
Reflecting on his journey from working class boy to Prime
Minister, will say that Labour will
broaden opportunities so that every person has the opportunities
they deserve:
“As a country, we elevate the stories of the individuals who go
to the Guildhall School of Music, the Prime Minister from a
pebble-dashed semi, the working class few who do break through
the class ceiling.
“It's important to tell those stories. But it's not everyone, is
it? And we must remember everyone.
“Through the power unleashed by renewal, we can build a country
that gives equal voice to every person. A country that
won't expect you to change who you are, just to get on. A
country that doesn't just work for you and your family, but one
that recognises you, sees you, and respects you as part
of our story. A Britain that belongs to you.”
