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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Dan Bloom

What does Keir Starmer stand for? New Labour leader's policies and political views

Keir Starmer has been named the new leader of the Labour Party.

And in his opening months, almost all the focus will be on coronavirus.

But he's also the man tasked by members with taking Labour out of its worst result for 85 years and into government.

So what does he stand for?

The top lawyer was notably more pro-EU than his rivals Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy, but also backed many Labour policies through the campaign.

Of course, his personal opinions are not the only factor in deciding Labour policy. Now that he's leader, it'll be decided via a complex process through the party conference and eventually a manifesto meeting.

But he will be expected to guide the movement and thinking of the party at this crucial time.

Here's an at-a-glance round-up of his public statements.

Coronavirus

  • Wants a national Income Guarantee Scheme with Danish-style wage subsidy

  • Would back rise in benefits and Statutory Sick Pay

  • Slammed 'deeply concerning' unclear government communications

Brexit

Keir Starmer was the Shadow Brexit Secretary (Ian Forsyth)
  • Says Labour must reunite country - but cannot 'give up' scrutinising Tory Brexit

  • Would give EU citizens the right vote in future general elections

  • Was key architect of second referendum push - with Remain on ballot paper

  • Now says a trade deal must protect economy, jobs, workers and environment

Labour Party reforms

  • Says Labour must not 'oversteer' to the centre or right after election defeat

  • Blames Brexit, anti-Semtiism and 'overloaded' manifesto for election loss

  • Would end NEC imposing candidates on local parties

  • Make selections 'more democratic' but stops short of mandatory reselection

  • Highlighted media attacks on Labour and refuses to be interviewed by the Sun

Migration

  • Would bring back EU citizens' freedom of movement to UK

  • Backed Labour's election stance on limited continued migration from EU

  • But in 2016 called for immigration to be cut after Brexit

  • End indefinite detention of migrants and close Yarl's Wood

  • New migration system should not be based on numbers or targets

Anti-Semitism

  • Signed Board of Deputies pledges to tackle Labour anti-Semitism

  • Vows to take a 'personal lead' with weekly report on his desk about progress

  • Would axe National Constitutional Committee for independent complaints body

  • Backs rule change to kick out members with 'clear-cut' cases more quickly

Defence

  • Have a Prevention of Military Intervention Act to 'stop illegal wars'

  • Review' all UK arms sales. 2019 manifesto called for suspension

  • Voted against UK military action in Syria but for replacing Trident

Democracy

  • Would scrap the Lords and have an elected chamber of regions and nations

  • Pledges a 'federal UK' with overhaul of the constitution

  • Has signalled support for a more proportional voting system

Tax and benefits

  • Would scrap Universal Credit and replace with 'system fit for the 21st Century'

  • Vows to introduce split payments by default under Universal Credit

  • Would hike Income Tax on top 5% - but stops short of repeating pledge exactly

  • Reverse Tory cuts to Corporation Tax and make health as important as GDP

Education

  • Would keep Labour's pledge to scrap university tuition fees

  • Says he wants more money for early years education

Nationalisation

  • Nationalisation of the railways - but other services could go public through co-operatives etc, not top-down nationalisation

  • Backs 'common ownership' of mail, energy and water

Workers

  • Repeal the Tories' 'malicious' Trade Union Act which limited right to strike

  • Says the bond between Labour and unions 'cannot be weakened'

Environment

  • Back Labour's Green New Deal at the heart of 'everything we do'

  • Wouldn't achieve everything in four years - but work with councils to start

Equalities

  • Says 'trans rights are human rights' and Gender Recognition Act needs reform

  • Backs all-women shortlists and would change law to have all-BAME shortlists

  • Has not signed the LCTR pledge card signed by the other two

Royal family

  • Would 'downsize ' the Royal family but not back scrapping it

  • Says the issue didn't come up on the doorstep in the election

Jeremy Corbyn

  • Refuses to say whether he'd have Jeremy Corbyn in his shadow cabinet

  • But has carefully stopped short of criticising the former leader

Housing

  • Promises indefinite tenancies and rent controls

  • Insist on new builds being zero-carbon to help the climate crisis

  • Says there must be a 'new generation of council and social homes'

  • But stopped short of backing Labour Campaign for Council Housing pledge

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