Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that he intends to backtrack on his promise to abolish university fees.
The Labor leader admitted that he would «probably waive this commitment», saying that it is now unavailable due to the economic situation.
He also rejected proposals to increase income tax on the highest paid and increase the level of tax on capital gain.
His remarks will draw the ire of left-wing MPs and activists who have accused him of abandoning the socialist platform he used to win the leadership.
Sir Keir released 10 promises when he replaced Jeremy Corbyn at the top of the party in early 2020 .
In his second commitment, entitled «social justice», he pledged to «support the abolition of tuition fees and invest in lifelong learning.»
«The current system is not fair»
On Tuesday, when asked if he supported it, he told the BBC: «We will probably back out of this commitment because we are indeed in a different financial position.»
Labour leader insisted that the comment should not be «read as we momentarily agree that the current system is fair or that it works.»
Vowing to «propose a fairer solution» in the coming weeks, he added: “We are looking at funding options for these fees.
«The current system is not fair, it doesn't work for students, it doesn't work for universities.»
Asked why he doesn't want to raise the income tax on the top 5% or reform the capital income tax to match the top income tax rate, Sir Keir replied: “We have the highest tax burden since World War II. What we got from the government is tax hike after tax hike after tax hike.
“If they’ve proven anything, it’s that their high-tax, low-growth economy isn’t working.” ”.
When asked if “taxing richer people” doesn’t work, the Labor leader replied: “The low stature model doesn’t work, it has fallen apart.”
He continued: “We have to develop the economy. I agree to give you a different answer to previous Labor leaders that will always go straight and spend; my main goal is to grow the economy.”
Labour has pledged to fully fund every policy and has said it will only borrow money for investments to address future issues such as climate change.
1603 corporate taxes
When he ran for leader, Sir Keir said: «Labour must fulfill its commitment to end the national scandal over rising student debt and abolish tuition fees.
“We lost the election, but we did not lose our values and determination to fight against the injustice faced by young people. people go to university.
«Under the Tories, tuition has tripled and young people are leaving universities with almost £60,000 in debt.
«Let's be honest: we need put an end to the rising student debt scandal.»
His turn was immediately criticized by Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labor leader who now sits as an independent.
«Young people shouldn't be saddled with debt for life just because they want an education,» he said.
«Abolish tuition fees, restore maintenance subsidies and provide free education for all.»
Previous twists
This is not the first time Sir Keir has backtracked on a promise he made during the race for the leadership of the Labor Party, which draws the ire of left-wing activists.
He also reneged on commitments to nationalize public utilities and abandon Universal Credit.
In February, the Labor leader defended the reversal of promises made three years ago, but defended them as «important statements of value and principle.»< /p>
He said: “What I had to do was obviously to adapt some of them to the circumstances in which we found ourselves. Since I ran for leadership, we have had Covid.
“Since I ran for leadership, we have had a conflict in Ukraine. Since I ran for leadership, we've had a government that has done massive damage to our economy.»
Now he's replaced them with «Five Missions for a Better Britain» that will be the platform on which he fights in the next election.
They are driving the highest growth in the G7, becoming a clean energy superpower, building a future-proof National Health System, making the streets safer, and breaking down barriers to opportunity.
>
Свежие комментарии