UK’s Starmer Rules Out Austerity as Labour Conference Opens

AFP/APP

Liverpool: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ruled out austerity measures and pledged to protect public services as Labour’s annual conference commenced on Sunday in Liverpool.

This marks Labour’s first conference since regaining power after a significant electoral victory over the Conservatives.

The four-day gathering comes amid pressure on Starmer to balance celebration of Labour’s long-awaited win with accountability for future challenges. 

“If you look at the list of what we have already done in 11 weeks, then I would argue strongly that we’ve done far more than the last government did probably in the last 11 years,” Starmer stated in an interview with the Observer newspaper.

With the economy and public health service facing challenges, the conference aims to project a more optimistic outlook. Starmer emphasized the importance of providing the public with a “raw and honest assessment” of the nation’s state while also highlighting the positive changes voters can expect under Labour.

Ahead of the upcoming budget due at the end of October, Starmer reiterated that the government will not pursue austerity, stating, “People have had a lot of tax rises and there’s not much more room for tax rises.” 

He committed to ensuring public services function effectively and protecting working individuals from additional tax burdens.

Starmer concluded with a promise that, in the years to come, people will recognize the Labour government’s decisive action in 2024.