In the United Kingdom, the Leader of the Opposition promises “a decade of national renewal”.

Britain’s opposition leader Keir Starmer promised on Tuesday “a decade of national renewal” if Labor wins the next election to “heal” the country from the “wounds” inflicted by 13 years of Conservative rule.

Instead of the divisions shown by the Tories the previous week, Labor gave the picture of a party confident about the elections expected by January 2025 during their annual conference in Liverpool, north-west England.

But beyond the unpopularity of Rishi Sunak’s government, Keir Starmer’s task is to calm doubts about his ability to present himself as a credible leader to attract voters outside his party to take over 10 Downing Street and lead the United Kingdom. A deep cost-of-living crisis.

In his speech, he called on his side to give the British “the government they deserve”. “Let’s ignore the Tories’ endless decline with a decade of national renewal.”

“People turn to us because they want our wounds to heal, and we are the ones who heal,” insisted the party leader in 2020.

He promised a “reform government” but warned the task would be difficult: “There is no magic wand.”

In contrast to Rishi Sunak’s recent pushback on some environmental measures, Keir Starmer pledged to “accelerate” climate change and build “new cities” based on housing.

Glitter spray

Labor is seeking to build a credible alternative and Keir Starmer has refocused the party, a far cry from when Labor suffered one of its worst election defeats in 2019, led by far-left Jeremy Corbyn.

Labor was “no longer a party of opposition” but a party “in the service” of the country, Keir Starmer launched, warmly applauding Labor when he insisted it had “rooted out” anti-Semitism.

The 61-year-old former lawyer, wearing a T-shirt suggesting links to a group campaigning for electoral reform, was unfazed when his arrival on stage was disrupted by a protester’s on-stage outburst – “It’s real. Democracy is led by citizens”, and the petition army flashed before being kicked out.

“Resistance or power, that’s why we changed our party,” said the Labor leader, taking off his jacket.

“faith”

Activists seemed more optimistic after their leader’s speech, accusing some of being too cautious.

“I thought it was a good speech and it gives me hope for the future,” said 57-year-old activist Kate Sheridan, who was interviewed by AFP.

He thinks the promises to build 1.5 million homes in new towns or the infrastructure investments announced by Keir Starmer are “realistic”.

“That’s what I wanted to hear,” echoes AFP’s John Barnes, a 56-year-old activist who remembers that he particularly “expressed strongly the spirit of national renewal” and “touched a lot of people”. .

“I can’t use the word ‘encouraging’, but there was a lot of good action,” said Fiona English, a 71-year-old feminist activist who describes herself as belonging to the left wing of the party. I am confident that the party will honor what was said and promised during this conference.

Since Sunday, Labor officials have distilled some elements of their upcoming election platform, such as measures to strengthen workers’ rights and a £1.5 billion (€1.7 billion) plan for the public health service NHS, which is in crisis after years of austerity measures.

Labor plans to end the Conservative government’s plan to deport illegal immigrants to Rwanda.

“The country needs a Labor government. Kiir’s announced plan is essential for jobs and investment. As always, the devil is in the details,” said Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite.

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