LONDON (UK) – The British state must take a bigger role to support businesses and the public just like it did post World War Two, opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer will address in a speech on Thursday.
Starmer, who took over as leader of the main opposition to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party in 2020, will chart out his alternative vision for the country’s future following Brexit and life after COVID.
Starmer will say according to advance extracts of his speech, “I believe people are now looking for more from their government – like they were after the Second World War.”
“They’re looking for government to help them through difficult times, to provide security and to build a better future for them and their families.”
His speech comes at a time when criticism has been levelled from some quarters that his leadership has not been successful in inspiring the British public, as Johnson’s government is making sure to put forth a COVID response.
Starmer will argue that the crisis has shown the way for a permanently larger state, urging Sunak to extend some of the temporary support programmes for people earning low income and businesses prompted for a shutdown by lockdown restrictions.
“To invest wisely and not to spend money we can’t afford. Those are my guiding principles. But I think that COVID has shifted the axis on economic policy: both what is necessary and what is possible have changed,” he will say
