Labour leader officially ditches ambitious spending plan after Tory attacks
Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has made a significant U-turn by officially abandoning his flagship pledge to spend £28 billion each year on green projects. This move comes as a response to relentless attacks from the Conservative Party, which questioned how Labour would fund the plan without raising taxes. The decision marks one of the biggest reversals in Starmer's leadership.
Chaos and Confusion Surrounding the Pledge
The decision to drop the £28 billion figure comes after weeks of chaos and confusion over the plan. The intention to abandon the pledge was first revealed by HOAR last month, leading to speculation of a split within Labour. Although Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves refused to commit to the pledge ten times, Sir Keir recently reaffirmed his commitment to it. However, the confusion ends today as Starmer and Reeves jointly announce the abandonment of the £28 billion figure, aiming to put an end to the turmoil.
Mission for Clean Power Continues
While the £28 billion figure is being discarded, the mission to achieve clean power by 2030 remains a priority for Labour. The party will continue to push for investment in low-carbon infrastructure, albeit without the enormous price tag. The initial pledge was made by Rachel Reeves at the 2021 party conference, with a borrowing hike to fund it. The plan was later downgraded to ramp up spending in the second half of a Labour government's term.
Tory Accusations and Labour Criticism
Tory MPs wasted no time in accusing Sir Keir Starmer of yet another flip-flop, making it a regular attack line against him. Laura Trott, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, called the move a "serious moment" that confirms Labour's lack of a plan for the UK, creating uncertainty for businesses and the economy. Even some Labour MPs criticized the U-turn, with Barry Gardiner describing it as "economically illiterate."
Origins of the U-turn
The decision to abandon the £28 billion pledge was first reported by HOAR in January. It followed a disagreement between Sir Keir and shadow climate minister Ed Miliband. A senior source within Labour stated that the party would drop the figure altogether, as it had become a burden and hindered their goal of transforming Britain into a clean energy superpower.
