Our five missions for a better Britain

It’s great to see Keir Starmer’s five missions for a better Britain.

They set out not just what Labour’s priorities in government would be, but our whole approach to governing. Essentially Starmer wants to end short-term sticking-plaster politics. A mission-driven government works relentlessly towards long-term national goals that are measurable. Let’s look at what that means. Labour’s first mission is to secure the highest sustained growth in the G7.

We don’t just aim for a return for growth.

Our mission is good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

Secondly, to make Britain a clean energy superpower to create jobs, cut bills and boost energy security with zerocarbon electricity by 2030. I’m particularly keen to find out more about how this impacts rural Dorset.

Will we see more onshore wind and solar farms?

Would you want to see that if it meant lower bills and emissions?

Thirdly, we don’t just aim to get waiting lists down. Our mission is to build an NHS fit for the future by reforming health and care services to speed up treatment, harnessing life sciences and technology to reduce preventable illness, and cutting health inequalities.

Fourthly, as you’d expect the former chief prosecutor will be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime.

His mission is to make Britain’s streets safe by reforming the police and justice system, tackle violence against women, and stopping criminals getting away without punishment.

Finally, because we are the Labour party after all, our mission is to break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage, for every child, by reforming the childcare and education systems, raising standards everywhere, and preparing young people for work and life.

What’s the most important of these?

Our first mission is to grow the economy and all the other missions contribute to that bold aim. Currently growth is being hampered by low business investment, our failure to get ahead of the game on green jobs, the fact that more than seven million people are waiting for an NHS operation, the hoarding of power in Westminster and the knowledge that potential and life chances are not evenly spread. Together these problems reinforce each other.

The current model of governing, geared towards delivering shortterm results, reacting to the dayto-day political context, simply isn’t going to meet the scale of the challenge Britain faces.

Labour will bring a fresh, collaborative approach to government: Business working with unions; the private sector working with the public sector; and partnership between national and local government. Our missions add up to powerful modernisation of the economy, public services and government to prepare Britain for the future.

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