Keir Starmer to address Civil Society Summit

Keir Starmer will tomorrow (Monday) tell a Civil Society Summit that we need to create a ‘society of service’ if we are to give Britain the future it deserves.  

Addressing an audience of faith, charity and community leaders, Starmer will say that his Labour government will work hand in hand with civil society and faith groups who ‘play a unique and vital role in the running of our country,’ countering the ‘in it for yourself’ culture of the Conservatives. 

The Labour leader is expected to say:

“The Tories once believed there was no such things as society and then we watched individualism run rampant. Cameron talked about the Big Society. But when austerity kicked in, we ended up with the Poor Society. Now we need a new vision for a new era. A renewed social contract. A new focus on those who build the bonds that connect us, the communities that nurture us, the institutions that support families and provide a bridge between the state and the market. A Society of Service. 

“In a society of service, doing the right thing will be rewarded. Working hard will pay off for people. And building caring, compassionate communities will make our country stronger, more prosperous, fairer for everyone. If you serve others, this country will serve you.”

The speech will set out how as Prime Minister, Keir Starmer will work in partnership with community groups who are ‘the glue that bridge the gaps’ among a ‘frayed social fabric’. He will say:

“We know it’s people on the ground with skin in the game who best understand Britain’s problems and have the best answers. You are the glue that bridges the gaps and binds business, government, and communities together. You reach into the places that the public and private sectors can’t. Creating the space for people to come together. Civil society is not just a nice news story in a local paper. Something we can feel warm and fluffy about. It’s essential if we’re going to get our economy back on track. Look at the thousands of charities supporting people back into work. The organisations facilitating local regeneration. Or providing more than 6 million volunteering opportunities each year.”

And in a hard-hitting attack on the current approach, Starmer will say:

“The Tories seem set on sabotaging civil society to save their own skins. They got themselves so tangled up in culture wars of their own making, that instead of working with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution – an organisation the late Queen was patron of for 70 years - to find real solutions to stop the small boats, their rhetoric has helped demonise them.  

“Instead of working with the National Trust so more people can learn about - and celebrate - our culture and our history, they’ve managed to demean their work. In its desperation to cling onto power, at all costs. The Tory Party is trying to find woke agendas in the very civic institutions they once regarded with respect. 

“Let me tell you waging a war on the proud spirit of service in this country isn’t leadership. It’s desperate. It’s divisive. It’s damaging. It comes to something when the Tories are at war with the National Trust. That’s what happens when politics of self-preservation prevail over commitment to service.”

Starmer will say that Labour’s five bold missions will require a thriving civil society if they are to succeed. 

“Mission-led government is about partnership, about devolving power to communities, setting long term targets and working with people to get there. Giving people the responsibility they deserve and the support they need. We don’t want to crowd out the social entrepreneurs – we want to encourage them. We want to harness civil society as one of the three key engines for renewal working alongside the public and private sectors.” 

On his Mission to deliver Safer Streets, the Labour leader will say his time as Director of Public Prosecutions has informed his approach. He will outline how his government will be ‘steely’ in its determination to achieve ‘what no government or opposition has ever promised before.’ Starmer is expected to say:

“When I was this country’s chief prosecutor I fought for a justice system that worked for people, but it isn’t working for anyone under the Tories.

“Later this week I’ll be on the road around the country, talking to people about Labour’s plan to tackle knife crime, and our plan to halve violence against women and girls. Yes this is ambitious, but it’s no more ambitious that it is necessary. 

“I know we will need the partnership of organisations on the ground to make this reality. I’ve delivered on this before, we will do it again, together. With organisations like Wolverhampton Wrestling Club – I’ve been there twice –who mentor vulnerable children and teach them sport.  Or Women’s Aid, supporting victims of domestic violence. 

“My government won’t accept business as usual. We can’t.  Halving violence against women and girls is incredibly difficult. I know that – I worked on it for five years as Chief Prosecutor, with organisations in this room. No government or opposition has ever committed to this before. So, we’ll need to work in new ways – together - and with steely determination.”

Ends 

Editor’s note: 

Keir Starmer will address the Civil Society summit at 10:00 on Monday 22^nd January.