Speaking at the CBI's annual conference today (Monday 19
November), , leader of the , will invite business leaders
to "embrace the change we need" as Labour sets out its plans to
rebuild our economy for the many, not the few.
Corbyn will tell CBI delegates that "business as usual isn’t
working. And when the rules of the game aren’t working for the
overwhelming majority, the rules of the game need to change."
Building on Labour's alternative plan for Brexit, which could
make Brexit a catalyst for industrial and economic renewal in all
our regions and nations, the Labour leader will outline the need
for real change "to meet the greatest challenges facing our
country today."
MP, Leader of the , will say:
“A good Brexit plan for this country is not just about what can
be negotiated with Brussels, it must also include a radical
programme of investment and real change across our regions and
nations.
“In 2016 the country voted to leave the EU against the economic
backdrop of post-crash Britain: a million families using food
banks, over 4 million children living in poverty and real wages
that are lower today than they were in 2010.
“Wealth hasn’t trickled down. Instead, rigid and outdated
economic thinking has helped create a situation where 20% of
Britain’s wealth is in the hands of just 1% of the population.
“Our economy isn’t stronger or more successful thanks to inflated
boardroom bonuses. Corporation tax cuts haven’t increased
investment and growth or put more money in workers’ pay packets.
And financial deregulation didn’t deliver self-regulating markets
but an epoch-shaping economic crash from which we are still
struggling to recover.
“It could not be clearer, business as usual isn’t working. And
when the rules of the game aren’t working for the overwhelming
majority, the rules of the game need to change.
“That means a new settlement for business and a stronger say for
the workforce where government will drive a higher rate of
investment in infrastructure, education, skills and the
technologies of the future and the largest businesses that can
afford it will pay a bit more towards the common good.
“To meet the greatest challenges facing our country today, we
shouldn’t fear change, we should embrace it.
“Deep-seated change is needed to avoid a damaging Brexit that
will hurt enterprise, jobs and living standards, and instead use
it as a catalyst for economic transformation.
“Change is needed to prevent the destruction of our environment
that endangers all of our futures.
“And change is needed to tackle the huge inequality that has
distorted the economy and disfigured our society.
“Business in Britain today faces a great future if it embraces
the change we need for our economy and our society.
“Labour is ready to lead that change and I invite you to join us
to make that change together to rebuild our economy and our
country so it really does work for the many, not the few.”
