will pledge in his speech at Labour Party conference
on Sunday 26 September that Labour will be “the Party of climate
justice and economic justice together”, setting out ambitious
plans to support Britain’s manufacturers to “win the global race”
to decarbonise.
In a major set-piece speech on Labour’s vision to tackle the
climate crisis and inequality by backing Britain’s manufacturers,
the Shadow Business Secretary will announce that Labour would
invest up to £3bn over the coming decade to green the steel
industry, working with steelmakers, to secure a proud future to
match the proud past and present of Britain’s steel communities.
Whilst Governments around the world are committing to their
domestic industries with long-term strategic investment in green
steel production, the Conservatives have failed to invest in the
transition, have attempted to weaken safeguards that protected
our steelmakers from being undercut by cheap steel imports, and
have splashed tens of millions on imported steel to build British
schools and hospitals.
Labour’s plan to back the industry would support businesses,
workers, and unions together to put UK steel at the heart of our
national industrial strategy.
The Shadow Business Secretary will also describe the current gas
prices crisis as a “disaster made in Downing Street” because of
complacency and inaction from government, despite previous
warnings of a risk of systemic failure in the energy market.
The announcements to boost industry and tackle the climate crisis
go hand in hand with Labour’s plan to invest in electric battery
factories, charging infrastructure, and interest free loans for
low and middle income households to boost car manufacturing,
create jobs, and make owning a zero-emission vehicle an option
for all.
Miliband will also directly address those who worry that climate
action could deepen the wounds of economic and social justice,
and those who worry the country is not going far enough or fast
enough on climate.
He will make clear the Party’s central mission is to avoid a
repeat of the “unjust transition” of the 1980s, and rather to
support Britain’s businesses to make the transition and grow,
with no worker left out, making the country more equal,
prosperous and just. He will argue that Labour has a historic
responsibility to deliver this.
Miliband is expected to say:
“As we respond to the climate crisis with all the transformation
that entails, we have a fateful choice to make:
We can try and put a green coat of paint on an unfair, unequal,
unjust Britain.
Or we can make a different choice
For a green Britain where there is an irreversible shift of
income, power and wealth to working people.
A green Britain where we deliver good secure, unionised jobs for
people across our country.
A green Britain where there is clean air and green spaces for
everyone everywhere in our country.
A green Britain where there are warm affordable homes for all,
wherever they live and where we end fuel poverty.
I know what choice we need to make
Britain needs a fairer economy.
Britain needs a green industrial revolution
Britain needs a green new deal
This is the cause I came back to fight for.
Our party cannot, will not, must not shirk the fight for climate
justice.
This then is our historic responsibility.
To be the party of climate and economic justice together.”
