UK Labor leader Starmer presents economic growth plan

Britain’s Labor and opposition leader Keir Starmer speaks during a news conference, in London, Britain July 8, 2022. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

LONDON, July 24 (Reuters) – Britain’s opposition Labor leader Keir Starmer will outline his plan to boost economic growth on Monday, adding his voice to the debate that has dominated the Conservative Party’s race to become the country’s next prime minister.

Starmer, criticized by some in his party for failing to set out clear policies to challenge the Tories who are once again caught up in a leadership race, will say his focus on economic growth could ‘challenge my party’s instincts’ .

“It makes us care about growth and productivity as much as we have about redistribution and investment in the past,” he will say, according to excerpts from his speech.

Starmer will say he wants to see “equitable” growth that will maximize “the contribution we all make to national prosperity”, although excerpts from the speech do not provide any details on the policies he would pursue to achieve this goal.

He will also take aim at the Tory leadership race, which pits Foreign Secretary Liz Truss against former finance minister Rishi Sunak in the race to replace Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Truss and Sunak clashed over the timing of tax cuts they both promised but agree they want to boost sluggish economic growth at a time when the country faces rising inflation and a possible recession.

“You will see a clear contrast between my Labor Party and the Thatcherite cosplay on display tonight,” he will say before the two contenders enter a debate on Monday evening, in reference to former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

“The difference between a Labor party ready to take Britain forward. And a Conservative party that wants to take us back in time.”

Reporting by Elizabeth Piper Editing by Gareth Jones

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