'Now no one can deny Keir Starmer has the steel to pull off mission impossible'

22 July 2023 , 20:24

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Keir Mather after by-election victory (Image: PA)

There’s a new Keir in town. Keir Mather’s election as the first Labour MP for Selby and Ainsty broke new records. Overturning a Tory majority of 20,137 was the best by-election result for Labour since 1945.

The victory is also a testament to Labour’s leader, Keir Starmer.

When Keir took charge of the Labour Party in 2020, many thought his task was mission impossible. Now, no one can deny he has the steel to pull it off.

After our 2019 defeat, Labour was a shipwreck. Yes, the collapse of the Tories and the SNP has put wind in our sails. But there wouldn’t be any sails at all had Keir not made Labour seaworthy again.

The country is crying out for change. People are fed up with nothing working.

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They can see the Tories have no answers. Now, they want to know what we would do differently.

Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner congratulate Keir Mather (PA)

Keir has spelt out Labour’s five big missions for government:

■ To deliver the fastest-growing economy in the G7.

■ Build an NHS fit for the future.

■ Smash the class ceiling holding back working-class kids.

■ Make our streets safe.

■ Make Britain a green energy superpower.

We’ve begun to set out our policies to deliver those targets. The biggest expansion of NHS staff in history. Every home insulated, meaning cheaper bills, good jobs, and families keeping warm in winter.

More teachers for kids in state schools, paid for by ending tax breaks on private schools. Safer streets with more police.

All built upon the foundation of a strong economy.

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When we set out our manifesto for the general election, it will be change you can believe in. The Tories have over-promised and under-delivered. We will only make promises we know we can keep.

We’re not going to pretend there’s a magic money tree.

Look where that got the Tories and their disastrous mini-Budget. We’re all paying for price for their recklessness with the economy – through higher bills, higher rents and higher mortgages.

With Tory tax rises pushing taxes to their highest levels in 70 years, we’re not going to fall into the tax-and-spend trap either. Even where new charges are being suggested in pursuit of worthy causes. Voters in Uxbridge have just sent us a message and Labour is listening.

But no one will be able to argue that our country won’t be better off with a Labour government.

After 13 long years of decline under the Tories, a better future is finally within reach. Keir Starmer has changed the Labour Party. Now he is ready to change Britain.

Wes Streeting