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Hello,
Today’s edition takes a closer look Keir Starmer’s time in Liverpool where he was pressed by the ECHO on his vision for a Labour Government, writing for The S*n and factionalism within his own party. There’s also more worrying news for commuters as public transport will be hit by strikes on the trains and buses tomorrow.
Starmer under the spotlight
Keir Starmer might get cold shivers when he looks at his open return to Lime Street ahead of September’s party Conference. Liverpool remains one of the most partisan cities in terms of its support for the party Starmer leads, but his visit to the city yesterday won't always have given that impression.
During his whistle stop tour, the Labour leader found himself confronted by activists and pressed on his record as leader and decision to write for the S*n at every turn. The red carpet certainly wasn’t rolled out for the shadow PM.
The frenzy of delegates and media may offer more cover when he returns in a few weeks, where, based on current polls, he’s likely to deliver the keynote speech on some of the surest footing the party has enjoyed in years. But the Labour leader still has many questions to answer before he can say he’s won over Liverpool - even if every seat in the city is solidly red.
Radical enough?
The Labour leader started the day at the Spine Building in Padding Village. There he delivered a speech with a clear focus on the economy and Labour’s vision for overturning “Tory stagnation”. But the speech led to some confusion over proposals to bring energy, water and railways into public ownership. Yesterday, when asked about these plans, the Labour leader said his view “is pragmatic not ideological.”
Sitting down with the ECHO’s Political Editor Liam Thorp later in the afternoon, clarity was sought on whether public ownership was no longer central to Starmer’s policies, which critics say are not radical enough to transform the country under a Labour government. But the leader later reaffirmed his support for the nationalisation of rail.
Speaking to the ECHO, he said: "Let me take on the challenge of us not being radical. At last year's conference we introduced an employment rights bill, which means day one employment rights and is stronger than anything we've ever seen from Labour. We brought in housing proposals that mean local people would get first dibs on housing and not foreign investors. We also made a massive pledge on climate change, pledging £28bn a year, the biggest pledge we've made in opposition to tackle the biggest issue we face.”
Pushing back that Labour under Starmer is putting nothing bold on the table, he added: "Nor do I accept the argument that the only test of bold is whether or not you nationalise energy, water etc. Rail is different to the others as it is effectively in public ownership already and we are committed to that.”
He added: "On the other things, I'm pragmatic, not ideological. We've been through a pandemic, we've got to have clear fiscal rules and I've got to be clear about the priorities for an incoming Labour government, because we can't do everything. I don't think anyone who looks at the plans, proposals and policies we have put on the table would say that isn't possible of changing lives for people in Britain - I think it is, I think it does and we need to make sure we win that next General Election now."
Writing for The S*n
Even if Starmer can produce the policies to convince the national electorate he should be PM, it will be a long uphill battle to win over the backing of many Scousers. Much of this stems from his decision to write an opinion piece for The S*n last year while Labour leader. During the campaign to become leader, Sir Keir told a Liverpool hustings that he was aware of the pain that had been caused by the lies spread by newspapers about the Liverpool fans who died at Hillsborough - saying he would not give an interview to The S*n during the leadership campaign. While the piece was published after the campaign to become leader, it still left a sour taste for many across the city. A number of Liverpool MPs expressed their disappointment at his decision.
During his visit to Liverpool today, Mr Starmer paid tributes at the Hillsborough memorial at Anfield and met with campaigner Margaret Aspinall, whose son James was amongst the victims of the tragedy and he committed that an incoming Labour government would back the movement for a Hillsborough Law, which would include the creation of a legal duty of candour for public officials and making greater resources available to survivors and bereaved relatives in the aftermath of a disaster.
Sir Keir said he was aware of how deep the Hillsborough injustice was, but sought to explain his decision to write for the. He said: “But I am leader of the opposition, I want to form the next government and I actually think that only be being in power can we actually put right some of these injustices that have been going on, including a Hillsborough Law. But as leader of the opposition I have to reach as many people as possible, whether that's through the S*n or any other newspaper or media outlet.
"But nobody should think for a moment that I don't understand what the families or the city of Liverpool have been through in relation to that injustice. It is quite possible to understand the impact that Hillsborough has had on the families and the whole of Liverpool - but at the same time make sure that Labour's message is carried to as many people as possible in order for us to win the next General Election."
Looking forward
Released last week, the long awaited Forde report into allegations of bullying, racism and sexism within the Labour Party was published. The findings, which focussed on the years when Jeremy Corbyn was leader, detailed ‘toxicity on both sides' of the party at the time, while spelling out the 'deplorably factional, insensitive and at times discriminatory attitudes' of senior Labour staff.
The report didn’t make complimentary reading while such significant change is underway in Number 10, with hopes Labour can capitalise in the years to come. And the response in some quarters of Liverpool yesterday would suggest the levels of factionalism within the party have not subsided.
In a bid to move on from the difference, Sir Keir said: “The focus of the Labour Party in 2022 is not to argue about what happened under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. It is to win a General Election. For our members, supporters, that is the central most important issue. The Labour Party was formed to win General Elections on behalf of working people and that's where my focus is."
Commuter chaos
Released last week, the long awaited Forde report into allegations of bullying, racism and sexism within the Labour Party was published. The findings, which focussed on the years when Jeremy Corbyn was leader, detailed ‘toxicity on both sides' of the party at the time, while spelling out the 'deplorably factional, insensitive and at times discriminatory attitudes' of senior Labour staff.
The report didn’t make complimentary reading while such significant change is underway in Number 10, with hopes Labour can capitalise in the years to come. And the response in some quarters of Liverpool yesterday would suggest the levels of factionalism within the party have not subsided.
In a bid to move on from the difference, Sir Keir said: “The focus of the Labour Party in 2022 is not to argue about what happened under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. It is to win a General Election. For our members, supporters, that is the central most important issue. The Labour Party was formed to win General Elections on behalf of working people and that's where my focus is."
In focus
The view
“The Labour Party was formed to win General Elections on behalf of working people and that's where my focus is”
| Keir Starmer speaking to the ECHO yesterday |
Silver lining for bus users
While there’s little in the way of good news for bus passengers at the moment, there’s a slither of optimism on the horizon.
Liverpool City Region is hoping to follow the lead of Manchester and press ahead with a franchising system which would allow a greater level of public control of services. In doing so, the Combined Authority would have a greater say in ticket prices and what routes are operated across the region.
Manchester’s plans are further along the road and have had to already clear one court case brought by private operators opposed to the move. But Manchester’s own Metro Mayor Andy Burnham enjoyed another victory yesterday as an appeal by one of the private operator’s was dismissed in court. It means the franchising plans take another step closer
This will have been music to the ears of Steve Rotheram who’ll be hoping to see his own vision for the region’s buses come to fruition in the years to come. In previous conversations with the Combined Authority, it’s however been reiterated that LCR’s own franchising journey is still in its early phase with no challenges yet to arise from private operators.
ECHO Chamber
| The steakhouse chain where many local kids had their 'first grown-up meal'. It also came with a decent view too. |
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