“We’ve got to get rid of the sticking plaster politics and have a serious, comprehensive plan for change and reform that is capable being implemented in the first term of Labour government.”
The Labour proposals have Brown hands all over them, and Ed Milliband has chirped up a few of them to put words in Sir Starmer's mouth: more power for the devolved government of Scotland, including the right to negotiate international treaties among them.
The Labour leader does say the party is now advanced in its plans for the early days of government – and is therefore prepared to take a few more risks. He is far more robust on the implementation of controversial policies like the abolition of the House of Lords than some of the pre-briefing of the policy would have suggested.
Brown insists that is necessary to use new political capital immediately after an election, an argument he has also been making privately in the run-up to the launch. “In 1997, we were determined to move very quickly. The Bank of England was made independent in four days.
The Labour leader says he is prepared to take on vested interests from those comfortable with the status quo on the Lords. “Nobody is really prepared to defend the House of Lords as it is.” The report will hand swathes of powers to regions including on jobs, skills, transport and research funding, as well as a root-and-branch reform of Westminster, including ending second jobs for MPs and a jury of citizens setting standards for parliamentarians.
On Bre*it he says: “The deal we have got has been harmful, the deal has holes in it left, right and centre,” he says. But should Labour still be afraid to say Brexit has been damaging? “The government’s deal has done damage to our economy,” he says. “But we are failing on growth way before we had a referendum or left the EU.”
Brown will not demur from Starmer’s stance in public, though he smiles. “I agree with what Keir said. But inside or outside the EU, we do not have an industry policy. It is ultimately neoliberal ideology that is stopping businesses getting the support.”
@TheGuardian.com
The Labour proposals have Brown hands all over them, and Ed Milliband has chirped up a few of them to put words in Sir Starmer's mouth: more power for the devolved government of Scotland, including the right to negotiate international treaties among them.
The Labour leader does say the party is now advanced in its plans for the early days of government – and is therefore prepared to take a few more risks. He is far more robust on the implementation of controversial policies like the abolition of the House of Lords than some of the pre-briefing of the policy would have suggested.
Brown insists that is necessary to use new political capital immediately after an election, an argument he has also been making privately in the run-up to the launch. “In 1997, we were determined to move very quickly. The Bank of England was made independent in four days.
The Labour leader says he is prepared to take on vested interests from those comfortable with the status quo on the Lords. “Nobody is really prepared to defend the House of Lords as it is.” The report will hand swathes of powers to regions including on jobs, skills, transport and research funding, as well as a root-and-branch reform of Westminster, including ending second jobs for MPs and a jury of citizens setting standards for parliamentarians.
On Bre*it he says: “The deal we have got has been harmful, the deal has holes in it left, right and centre,” he says. But should Labour still be afraid to say Brexit has been damaging? “The government’s deal has done damage to our economy,” he says. “But we are failing on growth way before we had a referendum or left the EU.”
Brown will not demur from Starmer’s stance in public, though he smiles. “I agree with what Keir said. But inside or outside the EU, we do not have an industry policy. It is ultimately neoliberal ideology that is stopping businesses getting the support.”
@TheGuardian.com
