Sir Keir Starmer: 11,500 word essay sets out vision for Labour to become ‘Britain’s bricks and mortar’

Sir Keir Starmer has said he wants Labour to be “Britain’s bricks and mortar” as he set out his vision for his party and the country in an essay published ahead of the Labour conference.

In the essay, of more than 11,500 words, Sir Keir said Labour cannot “wait around for the public to decide we are right” and must instead grasp the opportunities the current political atmosphere provides.

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At a glance: 5 key points

-In the essay, the Labour leader wrote: “The Conservatives are not an easy opponent to pin down – and even less so when Labour has tied its own arms behind its back.”

-The essay, published by The Fabian Society, has been seen as a bid to reset his leadership and craft an ambition for what Labour would look like in Government ahead of his first in-person appearance at a party conference as leader.

-Sir Keir said: “People are no longer prepared to sit back while politicians shrug their shoulders...The future will belong to those who do not just mitigate against change but grasp the opportunities it provides.”

-According to Sir Keir, now is the time for that opportunity, adding: “It is impossible to live in this moment and not feel the winds of changes blowing, just as they did in 1945 and 1997.”

-He added: “I want Labour to once again be Britain’s bricks and mortar – a symbol of solidity, reliability, shelter and the prospect of building something new and better.

What’s been said

Sir Keir also wrote in the letter: “People want to emerge from lockdown into something better.

“Our country is now at a crossroads: down one path is the same inequality of opportunity and insecurity.

“The Labour path is about building a better future for working people.

“Labour will build a society that prizes the contributions people make, providing security and opportunity across Britain.”

Background

Sir Keir’s comments come at a time where Labour is again gripped in an internal civil war over potential changes Sir Keir wants to make to leadership rules.

Politicians have already responded to the letter, with Oliver Dowden, Conservative Party co-chairman, saying:

“If this is Starmer’s ‘big vision’ then he should have gone to Specsavers.

“Labour are talking to themselves about themselves. They’re all essays and no action.”

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