Radical manifesto promises public service boosts and re-nationalisation
Jeremy Corbyn launched Labour’s most radical manifesto in decades this morning, promising to build a ‘prosperous society for the many, not just the few’.
Speaking in Bradford, the Labour leader said that in the general election campaign so far ‘opinion has started to move towards Labour’.
“There is no great secret as to the reason. People want a country run for the many not the few.
That is because for the last seven years our people have lived through the opposite; a Britain run for the rich, the elite and the vested interest. They have benefitted from tax cuts and bumper salaries while millions have struggled. Whatever your age or situation, people are under pressure, struggling to make ends meet.
Our manifesto is for you.”
The major proposals include:
- A 45p tax for earners of £80,000 or more
- A new 50p tax rate for earners of £123,000 or more
- An end to tuition fees
- An end to the public sector pay gap
- A £5bn expansion of free childcare
- An extra £7.7bn for health and social care
- One million new homes, at least half of which will be for social rent
- Renationalisation of the railways, Royal Mail, water companies and energy supply networks.
While many of the policy proposals were already known due to the draft manifesto leak last week, today’s major new information came from the costings document published alongside the manifesto.
Labour says it can raise £48.6bn from higher taxes and a crackdown and avoidance, which would meet its public spending commitments, according to the costings document.
However, those spending figures do not include the costs of renationalisation of several key industries. Labour is claiming that this counts as investment, for which it is entitled to borrow under John McDonnell’s fiscal rules. But it’s not clear what the extent of that borrowing will be, and the issue will undoubtedly be a source of controversy.
Corbyn also offered a direct challenge to Theresa May, accusing her of running a campaign based on fear and calling her to take part in a general election debate.
“Will the Tories change their spots? Don’t bank on it. Their record says they won’t. Theresa May will disagree of course.
So I say to her today: Prime Minister, come out of hiding and let’s have that debate on television so millions can make up their minds.
What are you afraid of? It’s not too late. Let’s debate our two manifestos. Have the argument. I am confident that once the British people get the chance to study the issues, look at the promises, they will decide that Britain has been held back by the Tories.”
The Conservatives have not yet published their election manifesto.
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3 Responses to “Corbyn promises a Britain ‘for the many, not the few’ at manifesto launch”
Madasafish
“The Conservatives have not yet published their election manifesto.”
No need as Labour’s is another suicide note.
Tony
Deeply unfortunate that Labour is committed to replacing the Trident nuclear status symbol.
Also, there is the ridiculous commitment to spend 2% of national income on the military. The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are also committed to this nonsense. However, good to see Leanne Wood on the ‘Daily Politics’ last week when she refused to endorse it.
JON ROSS
Give peace a chance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxS8gQ-xHgE
THE LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2017
A manifesto for a better, fairer Britain.
http://www.labour.org.uk/index.php/manifesto2017
LOCAL COMMUNITIES, Councils deliver vital local services to our communities, but their budgets have been slashed by Conservative cuts. This has led to a deterioration of local services, from bin collection to road repair, and the loss of important community assets such as libraries, youth centres and women’s refuges.
Labour believes in devolving power to local communities but that requires the necessary funding follows. You cannot empower local government if you impoverish it.
A Labour government will give local government extra funding next year. We will initiate a review into reforming council tax and business rates and consider new options such as a land value tax, to ensure local government has sustainable funding for the long term.
Labour is the party of devolution and we believe in handing back power to communities. We will devolve powers over economic development, complete with the necessary funding.
http://www.labour.org.uk/index.php/manifesto2017
“Everybody aspires to an affordable home, a secure job, better living standards, reliable healthcare and a decent pension. My generation took those things for granted, and so should future generations.”