Starmer Balances Economic Growth and Fairness Amid Tensions in Labour's Approach

[Social Media]

 

Keir Starmer faces a delicate challenge as he navigates between the demands of big business and the needs of working people. With the Labour government marking its first 100 days, Starmer is set to relaunch his central mission: restoring economic growth.

 

This effort coincides with an international investment summit in London, where some of the world’s most powerful financiers, including those from Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, and Google, will be in attendance. However, divisions within Starmer’s cabinet and the broader Labour party reveal a deeper tension about how best to achieve growth.

 

One of the key sources of internal conflict stems from the ousting of Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, who described P&O Ferries as a “rogue operator” after the company’s controversial practices. This decision highlights the underlying dilemma in Labour’s economic strategy, where growth must be balanced with ensuring the proceeds are more evenly distributed.

 

The prime minister will be looking to secure the backing of major global companies at the summit as he strives to make the UK’s economy the fastest-growing in the G7. This focus on wooing big business comes at a time when the country’s public finances are strained. With a difficult budget on the horizon for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Starmer’s courtship of business leaders may be necessary to stimulate investment. Most economists agree that boosting business investment is critical to enhancing productivity and fostering economic growth—an area in which the UK has lagged behind its G7 counterparts, particularly since the 2008 financial crisis.

 

However, not all within Labour are comfortable with the involvement of certain companies. Some firms attending the summit, such as DP World, the owner of P&O Ferries, and Macquarie, an Australian firm known as the “vampire kangaroo” for its controversial business practices, have been criticized for perpetuating inequality. Even if these companies invest in the UK, the question remains: will the benefits be distributed fairly?

 

Adding to the complexity, Starmer has expressed a willingness to eliminate red tape and regulations that hinder investment, which could further stoke concerns about Labour’s stance. While some businesses are encouraged by the government’s openness, others remain cautious, particularly ahead of Reeves’ budget, which may target wealthier individuals and corporations with higher taxes. Employers are also wary of potential increases in national insurance contributions.

 

In contrast, Starmer recently touted Labour’s “new deal” for working people as the most significant upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation. Although some business leaders criticized this initiative as an anti-growth move, the prime minister sees it as essential, given the rise of zero-hours contracts, stagnant wages, and growing in-work poverty over the past decade.

 

Labour’s approach includes working alongside the private sector through the National Wealth Fund and GB Energy, co-investing to leverage private funds and ensuring the state shares in the gains of economic growth. Despite his criticisms of excessive regulation, Starmer’s government recognizes that unchecked capitalism is not the answer.

 

Ultimately, Starmer’s mission to grow the economy while promoting fairness is a tricky balancing act. As he welcomes big business to London, the prime minister faces the challenge of securing investment without alienating those concerned about inequality and workers’ rights. Whether he can successfully walk this fine line remains to be seen.

 

Based on a report from The Guardian 2024-10-15

 

 

 

[jippytum]

Starmer has no shame. Sleaze and corruption exposed in his first 100 days may be  only the tip of the iceberg. 

 

[DaveBart]

2 tier kier ,one rule for labour MPs and one rule for the rest of us 

[diceman]

Labour doing what Labour does. No idea of how to stimulate the economy, just tax everything and everyone to the hilt, pander to their union paymasters and massively increase national debt. Same outcome every time.

 

[transam]

How many years have Labour had to come up with their "fixes", then still cock it up.

 

The populace is daft in thinking Labour would come up with "fixes", the Party of the working class whose first cash raising attack was on pensioners.......🤣

 

But, the populace got what it voted for, numpties.......

[JonnyF]

If he cared one iota about fairness he wouldn't have removed the pensioners fuel allowance while giving handouts to illegal refugees, all the while taking freebies from his rich mates.

 

He wouldn't have celebrated people being locked up for social media posts while violent assaults on police officers are brushed under the carpet.   

 

The guy is a fraud. Classic fake #bekind leftist. A revolting individual. 

[Chomper Higgot]

11 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

If he cared one iota about fairness he wouldn't have removed the pensioners fuel allowance while giving handouts to illegal refugees, all the while taking freebies from his rich mates.

 

He wouldn't have celebrated people being locked up for social media posts while violent assaults on police officers are brushed under the carpet.   

 

The guy is a fraud. Classic fake #bekind leftist. A revolting individual. 

Perhaps he cares about low paid workers paying taxes to fund winter fuel cash handouts to pensioners with high incomes.

 

Oh and you’re back again with your misrepresentation of the truth regarding people being jailed for breaking the law.

 
It might feed your need for self stroked grievance but it doesn’t change the actual court records.

 

 

[JonnyF]

7 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Perhaps he cares about low paid workers paying taxes to fund winter fuel cash handouts to pensioners with high incomes.

 

 

Thanks Chomps, good to see you still have sense of humour. 

 

Labour, the party of the working class! 😃

[transam]

21 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Perhaps he cares about low paid workers paying taxes to fund winter fuel cash handouts to pensioners with high incomes.

 

Oh and you’re back again with your misrepresentation of the truth regarding people being jailed for breaking the law.

 
It might feed your need for self stroked grievance but it doesn’t change the actual court records.

 

 

So, we have your lot in power, the Party of the working man, and the first thing they did was take money from a pension benefit that the Tories gave....😆

[Chomper Higgot]

32 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Thanks Chomps, good to see you still have sense of humour. 

 

Labour, the party of the working class! 😃

I expect the budget will reveal some insights on that.

[Chomper Higgot]

17 minutes ago, transam said:

So, we have your lot in power, the Party of the working man, and the first thing they did was take money from a pension benefit that the Tories gave....😆

My lot?

 

 

[transam]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

My lot?

 

 

Yes, your lot, and I look forward to you 'not' posting on their failures.........🤣

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, transam said:

Yes, your lot, and I look forward to you 'not' posting on their failures.........🤣

Oh.

[johng]

56 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

he cared one iota about fairness he wouldn't have removed the pensioners fuel allowance while giving handouts to illegal refugees, all the while taking freebies from his rich mates.

Not to mention the billions spent on pointless proxy wars and proping up genocidal regimes.

[transam]

1 minute ago, johng said:

Not to mention the billions spent on pointless proxy wars and proping up genocidal regimes.

And you....?   🤭

[johng]

2 minutes ago, transam said:

And you....?   🤭

And me what ?  I don't have billions of pounds to waste in pointless wars

while pensioners freeze to death in the winter....and you ?

[transam]

Just now, johng said:

And me what ?  I don't have billions of pounds to waste in pointless wars

while pensioners freeze to death in the winter....and you ?

You being supported............🤭

 

Military spending has always been there for all countries, something that must be done to keep Putinites at bay.

Labour making its first money saving attack on pensioners is anti-Labour logic, well I would have thought it was.

But you Labourites, will wake up one day, perhaps.........🤒

 

(Angela Rayner).......🤣

[johng]

15 minutes ago, transam said:

You being supported............🤭

I receive  0 support  from the UK government

(at the moment) paid Tax and NI for years,  used the NHS one time  and claimed a measly 100 uk pounds per week

"jobseekers" allowance  for a few months whilst looking for work after the 2017/2018  bankers bailout recession.

 

16 minutes ago, transam said:

something that must be done to keep Putinites at bay.

Ridiculous    stop spending billions on pointless wars and instead spend it on the needy UK citizens and UK infrastructure.

[Chomper Higgot]

4 minutes ago, johng said:

I receive  0 support  from the UK government

(at the moment) paid Tax and NI for years,  used the NHS one time  and claimed a measly 100 uk pounds per week

"jobseekers" allowance  for a few months whilst looking for work after the 2017/2018  bankers bailout recession.

 

Ridiculous    stop spending billions on pointless wars and instead spend it on the needy UK citizens and UK infrastructure.

I see you’ve been at the Chamberlain again.

[transam]

7 minutes ago, johng said:

I receive  0 support  from the UK government

(at the moment) paid Tax and NI for years,  used the NHS one time  and claimed a measly 100 uk pounds per week

"jobseekers" allowance  for a few months whilst looking for work after the 2017/2018  bankers bailout recession.

 

Ridiculous    stop spending billions on pointless wars and instead spend it on the needy UK citizens and UK infrastructure.

Oh, so you would have stood on the beach with a plate of sandwiches to greet Hitler & his crew......

[johng]

6 minutes ago, transam said:

Oh, so you would have stood on the beach with a plate of sandwiches to greet Hitler & his crew......

 

I have no idea what on earth you are talking about..

Putin is not Hitler  and the war in Ukraine is a lost cause  unless you are willing to go to the Nuclear option... stop pouring billions of hard earned British tax payers money down a bottomless  and futile pit...the British people need it more than ever  after the years and years of  "austerity" 

ie: bailing out the fat cat bankers and stock market Ponzi schemers than  the whole Covidiocy scheme !!!

enough already !!!

[transam]

19 minutes ago, johng said:

 

I have no idea what on earth you are talking about..

Putin is not Hitler  and the war in Ukraine is a lost cause  unless you are willing to go to the Nuclear option... stop pouring billions of hard earned British tax payers money down a bottomless  and futile pit...the British people need it more than ever  after the years and years of  "austerity" 

ie: bailing out the fat cat bankers and stock market Ponzi schemers than  the whole Covidiocy scheme !!!

enough already !!!

Yep, it would have been cheese & cucumber........

[RuamRudy]

Proof, as if it was needed, that the UK has no decent future as long as the red tories and the blue tories have everything sewn up so only they and their friends can benefit. 

[Chomper Higgot]

38 minutes ago, johng said:

Ukraine is a lost cause 

The Ukrainians seem to disagree.

[johng]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The Ukrainians seem to disagree.

Yep they'll fight to the last Ukrainian   just what

"Uncle Sam" ordered.. 

[Chomper Higgot]

4 minutes ago, johng said:

Yep they'll fight to the last Ukrainian   just what

"Uncle Sam" ordered.. 

Please provide a link to ‘Uncle Sam’ giving this order. 

[JonnyF]

14 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

Proof, as if it was needed, that the UK has no decent future as long as the red tories and the blue tories have everything sewn up so only they and their friends can benefit. 

 

While I agree that Labour are as bad, if not worse than the Tories, I don't think either of them have demonstrated true Conservative values.

 

If they did, the country wouldn't be in the mess it is now.  

[johng]

15 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Please provide a link to ‘Uncle Sam’ giving this order. 

 

Do you also need a link  to find the nose on your face ?

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

29 minutes ago, johng said:

 

Do you also need a link  to find the nose on your face ?

 

 

Your evidence is Russian propaganda.

 

A couple of easy questions for you.

 

When was this video recorded?

 

What office within the Government of the U.S. did Lindsey Graham hold at that time?

 

 

 

[johng]

10 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Your evidence is Russian propaganda.

 

Rubbish !  it is there reported by that "esteemed" agency  Reuters for

"your lying eyes and ears" to behold....Where did Russia come into the meeting between Zelensky and his war mongering senator "friend" ?

 

 

14 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

When was this video recorded?

 

What office within the Government of the U.S. did Lindsey Graham hold at that time?

 

Pointless questions !  which you can answer yourself  I don't care.

 

You can go find the video of Blinken and Nuland saying much the same thing,but doubt you'll take the time to do so.