Sir Keir Starmer is expected to lead Labour to victory in the next election, but his policies have come under the spotlight in a viral letter published by the Guardian.
This is before we even mention the B word, a word he wishes he never had to mention again.
London mayor Khan wants greater alignment, putting him at odds with Keir Starmer. Sadiq condemned Brexit damage ‘denial’ and called for debate on rejoining single market.
Although the criticism is aimed at Sunak’s government, it will also be seen as a veiled swipe at Keir Starmer’s stance on Brexit.
Public spending
The letter however, focuses on the Labour’s public spending plans.
Coincidentally it comes as Jeremy Corbyn’s maiden speech was discussed by the former Labour leader in an opinion piece yesterday.
It rings true today, perhaps even more so, as Corbyn discussed austerity and privatisation.
Letter
In the letter Professor Mary Mellor questions Starmer’s public spending plans.
She writes: “Your editorial (The Guardian view on Sir Keir Starmer: caught between scaring and inspiring voters, 5 January) is right to worry about Labour’s rejection of big-spending government. Labour is nothing if it does not defend adequate public spending, social justice and a fair reward for work. Its vision is limited because it shares the neoliberal assumption that growth comes only from the market. This reflects the massive growth of the industrial era, when millions were employed in the new factories, and their supporting services, such as private finance.
“However, in the modern era, industrial production has been outsourced by the older market economies and replaced by the financial sector and hi-tech. But high levels of employment in these areas have not followed. In economies such as Britain’s, the main growth of mass employment has been in public and personal services, particularly health. It would seem logical, therefore, that public employment should be a focus of economic growth.
“Neoliberal claims for the exclusive role of the market in creating wealth are mistaken. Both the market and the state generate wealth. This was understood by economists in the era of a mixed economy, before the ideologues of neoliberalism captured the political agenda.”
Her book Money: Myths, Truths and Alternatives (21st Century Standpoints) is available here.
Reactions
People were quick to comment on the letter on social media:
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Related: As it ever was? Corbyn article from 1983 goes viral as still rings true today
