UK's Labour Party manifesto pledges wealth creation and 'reconnected' Britain

Party says it is committed to recognising a Palestinian state if it wins power on July 4

Polls show Labour leader Keir Starmer on course to become the UK's next prime minister. AP

The UK’s Labour Party launched its election manifesto on Thursday with a focus on lifting Britain out of economic malaise and a pledge to re-engage with the world if it wins power under its one-word slogan: Change.

Opposition leader Keir Starmer said Labour was the “party of wealth creation” as he made a pitch to the centre ground for Britain’s July 4 election.

Labour is also pledging a “Britain reconnected” in foreign affairs as it aims to retake power during conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine.

It said it was “committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to a renewed peace process”, without setting a deadline.

At a seven-party debate of leaders on Thursday, deputy leader Angela Rayner said a Labour government would review the legal advice and comply with international law about arms sales to Israel.

Senior politicians have clashed over immigration. Ms Rayner said net migration needs to fall as it has “gone up and up as our economy relies on overseas workers”.

Reform UK's Nigel Farage said: "Well, it's funny Angela Rayner says that because Labour launched their six key priorities at the general election and didn't mention the single most important issue affecting the lives of everybody in this country, namely the population explosion caused directly by migration."

Opinion polls show Labour on track to win amid widespread voter anger at the ruling Conservatives, which have fallen behind Reform for the first time.

A new poll, conducted on Wednesday and Thursday, shows Brexiteer Nigel Farage's Reform with 19 per cent support going into national elections next month, compared to the Conservatives' 18 per cent. Both are trailing far behind the Labour party.

The manifesto offers few surprises as Mr Starmer adopts what has been called a “Ming vase strategy” of keeping Labour's standing in the polls intact.

But the “manifesto for wealth creation” marks a break with the hard-left policies pledged by Mr Starmer's predecessor Jeremy Corbyn at the 2017 and 2019 elections.

Speaking over a heckler who accused Labour of offering the “same old Tory policies”, Mr Starmer said it “gave up on being a party of protest five years ago … we want to be a party of power”.

“Today, we can turn the page. Today, we can lay a new foundation of stability and on that foundation, we can start to rebuild Britain,” he told supporters in Manchester.

Middle East focus

Peace and security in the Middle East “will be an immediate focus” for a Labour government, the manifesto says.

It also promises Britain will “deepen our co-operation with partners across the Gulf on regional security, energy and trade and investment”.

On Israel-Palestine it vows to push for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, the upholding of international law and a “rapid increase of aid” into Gaza.

“Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. It is not in the gift of any neighbour and is also essential to the long-term security of Israel,” it says.

“We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.”

Immigration

With Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservatives making reduced migration a key election pledge, Labour said immigration “must be controlled and managed”.

It aims to scrap the government's plan to deport failed asylum seekers to Rwanda, which it calls unworkable and wasteful.

Instead, it is promising a new border security command that will be handed “counter terrorism-style powers” to tackle smuggling from France.

It wants to hire more staff to clear a backlog of asylum applications and form a separate unit to “fast-track removals” of people with no right to stay in Britain.

There are fewer concrete pledges on legal migration, with Labour saying it would look to train more British workers in areas of skills shortages.

Foreign policy

Labour's foreign policy pitch is headlined “Britain reconnected” after what it calls a Conservative failure on the international stage.

It said Labour would reverse a loss of soft power by “reinvigorating alliances”, backing Britain's cultural institutions and seeking a reputation as a leader on climate action.

“We will work with our proud diaspora communities to enhance our cultural links across the world,” the manifesto said.

Labour wants to improve post-Brexit ties with the EU, including with a new security pact, but is not offering a return to EU membership.

It said the UK's support for Ukraine would “remain steadfast”.

“Britain will be a reliable partner, a dependable ally and a good neighbour,” the manifesto said.

Economic boost

Labour emphasised economic growth at its manifesto launch, with Iceland supermarket boss Richard Walker called on stage to underscore its business-friendly pitch.

“We just cannot afford five more years of high tax, low growth and broken Tory promises,” Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said.

Policy pledges include planning reforms to “get Britain building” and a state-owned Great British Energy company meant to bring green jobs and lower bills.

With a credo of “securonomics”, Labour is promising a stable business environment and investment in ports, battery factories and the steel industry.

Labour is pledging not to raise the level of income tax, VAT (sales tax) or national insurance. It says it would raise revenue by closing tax loopholes and charging VAT to private schools.

UK general election campaigning - in pictures