Starmer to put economy at heart of manifesto

Keir Starmer will today put economic growth and wealth creation at the heart of Labour's offer as he unveils a business-friendly manifesto targeted at former Conservative voters.

- Kiran Stacey, Rowena Mason

The Labour leader will launch his election manifesto in Greater Manchester promising to prioritise economic stability in a deliberate contrast to the Conservatives' more policy-heavy offering on Tuesday.

The manifesto will promise not to raise corporation tax; will launch a new industrial strategy with clean energy at its centre; and enact rapid planning reforms to incentivise developers to build new infrastructure.

With even senior Conservatives now talking about the possibility of a Labour landslide next month, party officials say they will not trip up in the final stages of the campaign by making promises voters do not trust.

Starmer will say: "On 4 July, the British people can choose a different path for our country. Stability over pantomime politics; long-term strategy over short-term gimmick; and growth, not decline. That's the change our manifesto will offer."

Writing in the Guardian, Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, repeats that message, citing her background as an economist at the Bank of England as evidence of her commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Reeves calls the Tory, manifesto, which vows £17bn worth of tax cuts under a Conservative government, a "reckless and dishonest offer". She adds: "I started my career as an economist at the Bank of England, and I can tell you exactly where this would lead."

Starmer will launch the manifesto against the backdrop of a steady 20-point Labour lead, which models suggest would give the party a majority of nearly 200, even bigger than it won in 1997.