SIR Keir Starmer today U-turned on his flagship green energy pledge in a desperate bid to reset his struggling government.
At a major speech in Buckinghamshire’s Pinewood Studios, the PM confirmed he wants to put the UK on track “to at least 95 per cent clean power” by 2030.
EPASir Keir Starmer has U-turned on two more of his manifesto pledges in a bid to reset his struggling government[/caption]
EPAThe PM announced watered down “missions” to achieve zero-carbon and a growing economy at a speech in Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire[/caption]
But in Labour’s manifesto Sir Keir was definitive that his party would enforce a zero-carbon economy by six years’ time.
Alongside green rules, the PM also U-turned on his pledge for the UK to secure the highest sustained growth in the G7.
That promised future achievement has now become just an “aim”.
The watered down vows are two of six new “missions” announced by the PM today – none of which centred around immigration.
READ MORE POLITICS
In a document published alongside his speech, the PM listed a series of “milestones” he pledged to achieve over the course of this Parliament on the way to fulfilling the “missions” he set for himself before the election.
Boosting real disposable incomes and GDP per head.
Cutting NHS waits so 92 per cent of patients are seen within 18 months.
Guaranteeing a named police officer for every neighbourhood.
Ensuring 75 per cent of kids start school ready to learn.
Powering the UK with 95 per cent low-carbon energy by 2030.
In the document published alongside his speech, he wrote: “We know, after the sacrifices people made during the past 14 years, that it will be hard for working people to hear politicians ask them to come together for their country again.
“But the need for change is urgent. And it must be met.”
At his speech the PM also announced a new “mission” to build 150 new major infrastructure projects.
He vowed to rip up reams of red tape that has clobbered development projects and held back economic growth.
Analysis
By Ryan Sabey, Deputy Political Editor
The British people will be forgiven for not being on top of where this government is heading.
Please, keep up.
We’ve now got six milestones, to add to five steps and that is on top of three foundations.
But the Prime Minister headed to the glitzy Pinewood studios to unveil milestones on which he wants to be judged.
Whether it’s raising living standards, more bobbies on the beat and reducing NHS waiting times – the PM is going all out for change.
But many people will say this is just a Mission: Impossible.
The PM is right when he says the new milestones that he set out will allow the public to “hold our feet to the fire” saying it will be for the long-term good of the country.
He also wants a major snake-up of Whitehall declaring that civil servants “are comfortable in the tepid bath of managed decline”.
One new promise included 150 new major infrastructure projects this Parliament as he hits out at the NIMBYs holding up projects.
But there was one gaping hole in the plan – there was no mention in migration in the six promises to judge him by.
Sir Keir says he has to “get to grips” with the problem of illegal migration and small boat crossings – but the public will want to see a measure that is more concrete.
Sir Keir blasted the fact that overbearing green planning rules have meant HS2 needed to fork out £100m on a “bat tunnel” to protect wildlife flying above the train.
Staring down those who try to prevent building up Britain, he said: “I will send a very clear message to the NIMBYs, the regulators, the blockers, the bureaucrats, the alliance of naysayers.
“The people who say ‘ no, Britain can’t do this. It can’t get things done in our country.
“But we say to them, you no longer have the upper hand. Britain says yes.”
Today marked Sir Keir’s third attempt to define his government’s agenda after 153 days in office.
While in opposition, he laid out “five missions,” including a bold promise to make Britain the fastest-growing economy in the G7 and become a green energy superpower.
Ahead of the election, these were replaced with “six first steps for change,” focusing on goals like restoring economic stability and cracking down on antisocial behaviour.
The PM said the milestones are designed to show progress and give clearer direction.
Responding to the speech, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused her counterpart of spending 14 years in opposition but still not being ready for government.
She said: “Nothing concrete on immigration – because Labour have no plan to control numbers.
“Costly plans for energy decarbonisation watered-down – while poor pensioners lose their winter fuel payments.
“This relaunch can’t hide the reality of a government that doesn’t know what it is doing.”