UK: Labour Party pledges to make UK fastest-growing economy in G7

The British opposition Labour Party has pledged to make the United Kingdom the fastest-growing economy among the G7 countries. The pledge is part of the plans by the party in a challenge to the governing Conservative Party ahead of the elections.

Labour leader Keir Starmer detailed plans for “five national missions” on Thursday that include making the UK the fastest-growing economy in the G7. In a speech in Manchester, Starmer said that the Labour Party taking power in the upcoming elections was an indication that 13 years of a Conservative government left the country’s problems “deeper, longer lasting, and more painful.”

The four other missions, Starmer said, include reducing health inequalities, addressing crime, making the UK a clean energy superpower, and raising education standards. Starmer said the missions are measurable for voters can check against performance should Labour take power.

“I will never accept that this country is destined for decline. That our best days belong to the past,” said Starmer. “Success is all around us, it just needs direction.”

The pledges by Labour follow the plans set by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last month. Sunak pledged to halve inflation, grow the country’s economy, reduce the national debt, reduce healthcare waiting lists, and pass new laws that prevent migrants from entering the country in small boats.

Labour called Sunak’s pledges the “height of plaster-sticking politics” that aimed to only get the government through the next few months. Speaking to the party’s members at the headquarters of the Co-Operative Group owned by Labour members, Starmer pledged to provide “a long-term plan to unlock Britain’s pride and purpose.”

Last week, Starmer visited Ukraine, pledging continued support for Kyiv from the UK should Labour win the next elections.

“Should there be an election next year and a change of government, the position on Ukraine will remain the same,” said Starmer during a visit to the town of Irpin outside the capital Kyiv. Starmer also visited Bucha before meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and also said he wanted to show support for Ukraine’s calls for justice and reparations following the evidence of atrocities committed by Russia in Irpin and Bucha.