With our manifesto launch today, Labour continues to prioritise a positive and constructive position on our membership of the European Union.
Labour believes that our membership of the European Union is central to our prosperity and security. It is why we will work to change the EU, so that it operates in the best interests of our country. And it is why we will re-engage with our European allies to protect our national interest after five years of Britain being sidelined in Europe and isolated abroad.
You can read the whole manifesto, or focus on issues that interest you, on Labour’s website.
Our detailed manifesto commitments on Europe were influenced by extensive contributions from Labour MEPs, including the important principle that we will seek to make investments jointly with our EU partners when that can save us money at a national level. It’s great to see Labour’s national EU policy shaped by those of us who work in the European Parliament.
Labour’s constructive emphasis on engagement and reform with our EU partners marks a stark dividing line with the Tories. And the priority we’re giving these issues in our election campaign — literally from day 1 — gives the lie to the eurosceptic campaign that voters have never had a say on Europe. On Europe, and on other key issues, the different parties offer a clear choice of policies to the electorate.
Other key manifesto commitments include:
- A new Budget Responsibility Lock by which Labour will secure the nation’s finances. Every policy in the manifesto is paid for without requiring any additional borrowing, and Labour will cut the deficit every year
- Raising the minimum wage to more than £8 by October 2019 — accelerating increases to guarantee they reach this level before the end of the next Parliament
- Helping train passengers and commuters with a fully-funded fare freeze
- Supporting the squeezed middle with a firm commitment not to raise the basic or higher rate of income tax, National Insurance or VAT
- Protecting tax credits in the next parliament, to back working families
- Introducing a new National Primary Childcare Service to help working parents
