As members, activists, trade unionists, and politicians come together from across the country to fight for working people, we are laser-focused on whose side we’re on and who we’re delivering for. Because that is what phase two of this government is all about: delivery.
Our first year of government was about fixing the foundations and clearing up the mess the Tories left behind after 14 years of neglect and decline. In that time, we have made decisions that only a Labour government would make to change the lives of working people.
Free school meals for an extra half a million children, breakfast clubs, and 30 hours of free childcare will put cash in the pockets of parents, lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty, and make life easier for hard-working families.
Five million extra NHS appointments — more than double what we promised in our manifesto — will mean millions of patients will get the care they need, when they need it.
Boosting the minimum wage will ease the burden for the three million lowest-paid during a cost of living crisis.
These are vital changes. But it’s just the beginning, and there’s a lot more to do to get the country back on track for the long term.
That’s because our economy was left to stagnate for 14 years. Skills and training were neglected, and we didn’t build the infrastructure we needed for a modern era. Add that to regional inequality and the last government’s botched Brexit deal, and it’s no wonder many people still don’t feel this country works for them.
Living standards have stagnated, public services have been struggling for years, and small boats are still arriving on our shores.
That’s why we’ve moved into phase two of this government. Our focus remains the same, but we go further.
We are boosting living standards across the country, fixing our public services, getting the NHS fit for the future, and making sure people feel safe in their communities and know their borders are secure.
Our focus remains the same, but we go further.
So at conference, this autumn and beyond, The House readers can expect us to make the reforms we need to make Britain work for working people once more.
That is why we are putting our efforts into investment in training and opportunities, so young people can begin good, well-paid jobs and businesses have the skills they need.
We’re unveiling further plans to tackle regional inequality and ensure growth benefits every corner of the country.
We’ll be focused on building homes and infrastructure like transport and grids, so people have a good standard of living and opportunities across the nation.
And we’re investing in the technologies of the future, like AI, to make workforces more productive and improve people’s lives.
Because we must rewire the country to close the fairness gaps.
These are the gaps between hard work and reward, background, opportunity, and different parts of the country that hold people back.
There isn’t an overnight fix. These problems require solutions for the long term, not sticking plasters.
My government won’t pull that lever.
We have always rejected the politics of the easy answer that others bang the drum for.
On one side, we’ve got the plastic patriots who don’t just want to talk Britain down — they want to bring Britain down. They rely on anger and grievance, so they don’t want things to get better at all.
On the other, we have the plastic progressives who oppose green infrastructure, block housebuilding, and want to take us out of NATO in the most volatile global era in decades.
There is only one patriotic, progressive party: the Labour Party.
There is only one party on the side of working people: the Labour Party.
And there’s only one party that can put the country on the path to renewal and deliver the change people deserve: the Labour Party.
This party conference and beyond, the country will see us doing just that.
Keir Starmer is Prime Minister and Labour leader.
https://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/plastic-patriots-want-bring-britain-wont-let