Labour Party MPs are pressuring Sir Keir Starmer to abandon his £28 billion green investment plan, warning that it could become his "Ulez moment." While some MPs privately disagree with the policy, they are hesitant to publicly criticize it, according to backbenchers.
£28 billion target instead of a firm commitment
Initially, Labour had pledged to invest £28 billion annually until 2030 in green projects if the party came into power. However, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently clarified that this figure would be a target to work towards in the second half of a first parliamentary term.
Concerns over potential backlash
One Labour MP cautioned that this eco-pledge could become a "Ulez moment" for Sir Keir, referring to the Uxbridge by-election. Last summer, Sir Keir attributed their defeat in Boris Johnson's former constituency to Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan's levy on drivers.
Another Labour MP predicted that the eco-promise would likely be abandoned, stating that "Spending that kind of money when there are other social priorities I think is highly unlikely. It seems pretty clear to me the £28 billion is not a vote winner, whereas housing, the NHS, education, all the usual Labour priorities, are."
Conservative criticism
Tory party members have seized on the plan to attack Sir Keir, arguing that he would have to raise taxes to fund it. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticized the Labour leader's proposal, claiming that "One of Labour's only big ideas is to go on a big, unfunded spending spree costing £28 billion a year. They are pretending it's possible to do that without raising your taxes."
Labour's response
A spokesperson for the Labour Party defended the eco-pledge, stating that it would lead to permanent bill reductions, the creation of high-wage jobs, and increased energy security in Britain. They further asserted that the party is confident in achieving the £28 billion investment without burdening working people with higher taxes, in accordance with their fiscal rules.
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https://hellofaread.com/politics/jeremy-hunt-election-is-ours-to-win-promises-to-boost-economy/
