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  • Personally I think it's too early in the election cycle to be launching fully formed plans.

    This seems to be the go to response for any criticism of Starmer. "It's too soon." When it comes to politicking, sure - that may be a valid - even prudent - position. But this document isn't intended to represent "fully formed plans." He's not put out a party manifesto or electoral pledge. It's supposed to represent his political thought (hence it being published by the Fabians). I think it's intellectually problematic to claim it's "too soon" for him to express that.

    (To be explicit, I'm not calling you intellectually dishonest!)

  • I think I may have misunderstood what you wanted. I was more referring to specific plans (e.g. this is what we do, this is how we'll fund it, etc).

    It does go into some detail, stuff like this for instance:

    ... a New Deal for Working People. It will provide security and opportunities for people across the country, with improved conditions, quality jobs, training and better pay. It will increase
    the minimum wage, ensuring proper wages that people can raise a family on. It will ensure rights for all workers from day one, such as sick pay, parental leave, and the right to flexible working, reflecting the realities of the post-Covid world. It would ban dubious practices
    such as fire and rehire and stop firms exploiting loopholes to get out of giving employment rights to their workers.
    We would give people stronger rights to be represented at work by their trade unions to help raise standards and protect workers. And, crucially, it would guarantee work or training for young people.
    We would replace universal credit and reimagine our social security system to ensure that work pays. We want low-paid people to keep more of the money they earn, so that having
    enough money to raise a family isn’t the preserve of the better-off.
    All this would make a difference to hard-working people. It would put far more emphasis on balancing work with family, rather than choosing between the two. It would create happier, more productive employees.

  • The thing i find ridiculous is that Labour / Starmer get this level of scrutiny - yes, but how will you do that, where do the funds come from, what does it mean - and yet Tories are literally just shouting slogans out and get elected on it.

    Would Keir do better just writing ‘Levelling up’ on a big piece of paper? Dunno

  • Yeah, I still need to read it so it may all be there. I might have to go to Canterbury later today so will bring it along on the train with me if so.

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