As our party comes together for its conference in Brighton next week, it is in very different circumstances to when we met in Manchester just a year ago. Back then, banks were collapsing and the failings of global financial markets threatened a worldwide slump. All over our country, people were worried about what would happen to their savings, their jobs and their homes.
Confronted with this challenge, we faced a stark choice. We could have done nothing. We could have allowed the banks to collapse and let the recession take its course – with devastating consequences for businesses, savers and families with mortgages. Or we could meet the challenge through the enduring values of the labour and trade union movement – and resolve not to walk by on the other side. The choice was clear and the determination of our party was not found wanting.
That is why you can be proud that the strong action we have taken has saved jobs, kept people in their homes, given real help to those in greatest need and set our country on the path to recovery.
Up to half a million jobs have been saved or protected as a result of the action that Britain has taken. Our decisions on mortgages have helped 300,000 people stay in their homes. The scrappage scheme has generated 205,000 car orders and kept the motor industry strong. There are more jobs, training, college and school places for young people this year – including 72,000 more education and training places for 16 to 18-year-olds – and a guaranteed job offer or work-focused training to all 18 to 24-year- olds out of work for a year. Also, 22 million basic rate taxpayers have had a boost to their incomes through tax cuts and homeowners are feeling the benefit of lower mortgage rates. Those aren’t just statistics – those are real lives, really changed.
Now there are encouraging signs that our action is working and the economy is starting to recover. But the Conservatives threaten to choke off the recovery by halting investment at the worst possible time. We must keep our resolve and not cut help for young people, families and businesses when they need it most.
There will be more tough choices ahead. I have been clear that, once the recovery is in place, we will cut the deficit in a fair and responsible way. That is why we have set out a plan to halve the deficit in four years while safeguarding the frontline services that all but the very privileged rely on – but the Tories would cut.
And just as people can see the clear choice on the economy, there is also a clear message on public services. While you can trust Labour on the National Health Service and on your children’s schools, you cannot trust the Conservatives because of their investment plans and their instincts.
As Labour Party members, we are united by the belief that health is a universal right and that every child deserves the best education. Labour’s investment has made the NHS a service everyone can be proud of. We have the shortest waiting times in history and guaranteed specialist treatment for cancer patients within two weeks of diagnosis. More teachers and Sure Start children’s centres have cut class sizes and transformed children’s life-chances.
The benefits are clear, yet the Conservatives are pledged to cut Sure Start, the schools budget and NHS treatment guarantees. The hidden detail of Tory plans show that they want local hospitals to be put at risk by borrowing against their assets.
The Conservatives like to talk about providing more for less. But their plans are very clear: more for the privileged few, less for the mainstream many. They are promising a tax giveaway of £200,000 to the 3,000 wealthiest estates – at the same time as they refuse to support our help for those struggling to keep their homes and their jobs.
The focus at this year’s conference will be different to the last. This year, our focus must be to build on the signs of recovery and do nothing that would put that at risk.
But throughout this, I want Britain to know that my priority has always been the same and it is rooted in the values of our movement.
My mission has been to protect the hard-working people of Britain – those people who feel the same anger when they see irresponsible bankers being rewarded with inflated bonuses as they do when they see people who try to cheat the benefits system. That squeezed middle of Britain who work hard and play by the rules have been the focus for us all.
In Brighton, as we meet together again, we will show that it is Labour, and Labour values, that will win the fight for Britain’s future.
