Change - On Labour's Manifesto. [In-depth Analysis]

Labour's manifesto for the 2024 General Election, titled "Change", is tepid, and more focussed on winning the election than offering solutions to the country's challenges. This caution is a deliberate strategic choice. Labour's goal is winning over traditional one-nation conservative voters who prioritise competent governance and stability, not the chaos seen in Westminster over recent years.

Just like unambitious conservative governments, Labour's manifesto is good at identifying the problems facing the nation. Its solutions, however, don't scale to the severity of the problems facing the UK.

In the early 20th century, social democracy was a radical philosophy aimed at enacting practical, yet transformative reforms that made capitalism work for the populace, not just the elites. Since the advent of neoliberalism, modern social democracies have largely focused on safeguarding the achievements of the post-war consensus, such as the welfare state and comprehensive universal health care systems, ensuring their effective operation. This shift has turned social democracy into a form of left-wing conservatism focused on preserving institutions than transformational reform.

The New Realist calls for the flames of pragmatic radicalism to light the heart of social democracy once again. We will evaluate Labour's role in relighting the flame based on strategic considerations, not loyalty to any political party.

In Taoism, the Tao is the unification of the contradictory, but dynamic, opposites yin and yang. Similarly, in political economy, financial prudence hinges on managing the opposite forces of discipline and elasticity. Excessive elasticity will overheat the economy by fuelling excessive aggregate demand, whereas too much discipline will stifle aggregate demand, causing recessions, even depressions.

Labour's manifesto argues that only through discipline can the foundation for sustainable economic growth be found, and, consequently, elasticity in government finances be justified. This discipline comes in two forms: first, a mission-orientated government focussed on achieving long-term goals, and second, through strict fiscal rules.

Labour's commitment to competent governance, led by a mission-driven approach, is commendable. The New Realist agrees with Keir Starmer's call for a focus on effective governance over mere protest on the left. The question remains whether this is mere PR before politics returns to normal, albeit with more competence, or whether a genuine transformation in how we're governed is on the horizon.

Long-term objectives provide governments with strategic direction and enforce democratic accountability. Strategic direction is missing in the West. The West, particularly the Anglo-Saxon world, is ruled by short-term ambitions whether that be winning elections or recording good quarterly profits. Governments focused on building for the future and preparing the country for the future is severely lacking. Frankly it is a disease which needs eradicating. The political culture of the UK must change so government is smarter and more far-sighted than present.

Labour's discipline hits roadblocks, though, when it comes to its fiscal rules. This is how Labour describes its fiscal rules in its manifesto:

"Our fiscal rules are that:

1. The current budget moves into balance, so that day-to-day costs are met by revenues
2. Debt must be falling as a share of the economy by the fifth year of the forecast.

These rules allow for prudent investment in our economy. This represents a clear break from the Conservatives who have created an incentive to cut investment; a short-term approach that ignores the importance of growing the economy. Labour will strike a balance between prioritising investment and the urgent need to rebuild our public finances. There will be no return to austerity."

The first fiscal rule is economically illiterate, but political savvy. For the voters Labour wants to attract, this will give them the security to know Labour will not spend with reckless abandon. However, government finances do not work this way. Government financing isn't revenue dependant; it can finance any spending commitment it wants.

So how do we establish discipline for governments, so they don't spend with reckless abandon? Simple, does government spending reduce the rate of profit in the economy? The rate of profit regulates aggregate demand and aggregate supply in the economy, with both determining whether the economy grows or not. Essentially, the government is free spending while economic growth is sustainable, and its spending facilitates that sustainable growth. When economic growth is unsustainable, we have an overheated economy which sees inflation arise. When there is no, or negative, economic growth, then the state is even freer in spending money if the spending facilitates a rise in the rate of profit.

Prudent government spending isn't determined by the daily balance sheet of the Exchequer, but how wisely the government spends in facilitating economic growth. This principle aligns with classic social democratic political economy, with the state playing an active role in creating the conditions for economic growth and prosperity. It's very disappointing seeing Labour abandon a core tenant of social democracy so that it can sound fiscally responsible. The New Realist hopes that trust in Labour's competency will give it more leeway with the public so it can move towards a classic social democratic political economy in the long run.

The second rule commits Labour to reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio by increasing economic growth significantly faster than government 'debt'. Suppose you have £100 of debt with £120 of assets, you have two primary options for reducing your debt burden. The first is by cutting expenditure, or investments, making 'savings' which are used to pay off the debt, which is austerity. Cutting investment doesn't facilitate growth, though, in fact it reduces the value of your asset relative to your debt making your situation precarious.

Alternatively, you can expand the size of your assets faster than the size of your debt. This is prudent Keynesian economics. The second fiscal rule follows from what the first rule should have been.

Labour's fiscal rules are confused. Whether this is a genuine confusion, or an electoral strategy for gaining power, we do not know. If the former, the populist right will benefit the most from Starmer's Labour.

Political Economy

Labour will not radically overhaul our political economy. Starmer's Labour is not a socialist party. The saving grace, though, is that no socialist party would win this General Election. The Overton Window needs shifting to the left dramatically before a socialist party has a viable chance of winning elections. It is the responsibility of socialists in promoting a viable alternative to capitalism, not merely decrying a political party for fulfilling its purpose - achieving power.

Labour does commit to a "more active, smarter government that works in partnership with business, trade unions, local leaders, and devolved governments." This is a move towards a modest technocratic and progressive political economy. Given Labour's fiscal rules, foreseeing a major transformation to our economy is difficult. How far smart government can transform us is key to success.

The need for "smart government" itself is spot on. It's a shame, however, this hasn't translated into smart economics. The state has greater elasticity in spending than Labour has acknowledged, but wasteful government spending is unacceptable. Achieving as much as you can with as little as possible is a good mantra from investment philosophy, but it is not always possible. Labour must realise, though, that giving yourself no tools to work with won't facilitate investment or growth.

Consider Labour's proposal for creating a new National Wealth Fund. Prima facie, creating a sovereign wealth fund is a fantastic policy. Unfortunately, Labour has promised it will be capitalised by £7.3bn by the end of the Parliament. In the grand scheme of things, this will barely help our economic development. A more ambitious, but still very modest, target would be £50bn capitalised by the end of the Parliament.

Fiscal and Monetary Policy

Labour's fiscal policy will be too tight hindering economic growth and prosperity. Monetary policy is non-existent, so we'll focus on taxation.

Labour has falsely promised workers they won't face a higher tax burden. This blatantly ignores that current tax bands have been frozen meaning as wages increase their tax burden will. This promise is dishonest and reduces flexibility in fiscal policy.

Labour will cap corporation tax at 25%, which is the lowest rate in the G7. There're two issues with this policy. First, it reduces flexibility in fiscal policy. Second, it assumes the current rate is ideal for promoting investment. Labour has explicitly acknowledged a dearth of investment is a major issue, and it has ruled out using a policy tool that could have an impact. The New Realist does not support the left populist position of increasing corporation taxes because companies earn too much profit.

Scrapping business rates and replacing them with an alternative tax is a good policy. The New Realist believes this alternative tax should be a Land Value Tax but is disappointed about the lack of specifity in reforming business rates. Business rates disincentivise investment and incur prohibitive costs on small businesses and entrepreneurs. Council tax should be scrapped as well, but Labour will not only keep it but not revalue the existing bands either.

Labour's fiscal policy doesn't scale up to the challenges facing the UK. It's avoiding the mantra of just throwing money at problems, which is correct and encourages lazy thinking. Nevertheless, investment requires resources and Labour will not use the full powers of an active state in facilitating economic growth and prosperity.

Industrial Strategy

Labour will to establish an "Industrial Strategy Council" for developing a long-term approach to the economic development of the UK. Labour doesn't state what its powers will have, therefore we don't know whether it will have the desired impact. Furthermore, changing the short-term culture of the UK requires more than that. This looks like a typical technocratic solution, rather than fully realigning the states and economies priorities towards the long-term.

Infrastructure and Housing

Reforming planning regulations is a major policy for easing the building of key infrastructure. Current regulations promote NIMBYism making building infrastructure needlessly difficult and expensive. Labour hasn't told us how it will reform it though.

Building 1.5 million homes over the next Parliament is ambitious, but not ambitious enough. An FT analysis suggests that 2.5 million new homes are needed over the next Parliament to satisfy population demands. Housing supply issues will make housing unaffordable for millions.

Public Transportation

Nationalising the railways is the most obvious leftwing policy in the manifesto. Privatisation hasn't worked, and won't work, in the UK.

The core concern, though, is the effectively operating the railways. Since ScotRail was nationalised by the SNP, the service hasn't improved. Cancellations are frequent, trains are old, and some are disgusting. Under British Rail, the service was appalling. The reasons our railways are so poorly run is cultural.

Labour has proposed a passenger watchdog for upholding standards. Watchdogs increase accountability but won't raise standards. Major cultural change requires firm disciplined leadership with the foresight of anticipating the future demand for rail services.

We should be continually improving public transport infrastructure all the time. They should be future proofed to facilitate this making accommodating new demand for services easier.

Public transport needs integrating all throughout the UK. Labour gives no details of how this integration will occur.

New revenue streams are needed. The Japanese system is self-sustaining because they own the surrounding land. There's no reason Great British Railways cannot build retail shops, lease out business offices, build social housing, and provide other valuable services.

Higher standards are necessary. Cancellations are completely unacceptable barring extreme circumstances, which snow isn't an example of. We should issue certificates of apology, allowing for a free journey, if you're waiting more than 10 minutes after your train or busses expected arrival.

Ending the ban on municipal ownership and enhancing local powers will help consolidate bus services.

Employment Rights

"Labour’s Plan to Make Work Pay: Delivering a New Deal for Working People" will be implemented in full. It will not address all the issues facing workers, but it will greatly strengthen workers' rights. Zero-hour contracts will be banned; ending fire and rehire; and, finally, access to parental leave, sick pay and unfair dismissal from day one. The minimum wage will be linked with living costs as well. This is a strong aspect of Labour's manifesto.

Innovation and R&D

Labour's proposals for fostering innovation within the UK are subtle but important. The proposed National Data Library will make it easier accessing research for public use improving services. Likewise, focussing on long-tern funding plans for R&D institutions will bring stability in their relationships with industry.

However, an entrepreneurial state boosting investment in R&D for both the public and private sectors is needed. European countries struggle turning innovations into commercial products, which dampens the growth potential of the UK. Improving productivity also entails spending at least 10% of R&D budgets on technological innovations.

The Entrepreneurial state should assist small businesses which are the heartbeat of cutting-edge innovations in the modern UK economy. Establishing a strong relationship between state innovation and small businesses will expand the number of opportunities available for entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurship

Reforming business rates, ensuring the self-employed get paid on time from larger supplier, getting easier access to capital through reforming the British Business Bank, and removing barriers for small business exporters are all great proposals. It is discouraging not seeing the renewal of the New Enterprise Allowance scheme which was cancelled in 2022.

Labour have missed an opportunity expanding the opportunities of entrepreneurship to minority and disadvantaged communities.

Unemployment

Work Capability Assessments aren't fit for purpose so scrapping them is good. Likewise, not sanctioning disabled people if a job does not work out will boost their confidence in seeking work. However, Labour does not specify what its "proper plan to support disabled people [getting in]to work" is. The biggest hurdle is that most companies are too inflexible in their demands to meet the needs of disabled people. Encouraging reasonable adjustments in methods of working and nurturing disabled people into work is the way forward.

Uniting the Jobcentre Plus and National Careers Service will help but ultimately a new culture within the DWP is needed so job searches align more closely with career searches. The priority, though, is investing in the skills of the unemployed through training them so they are competitive in the labour market and can change careers if desired. Sadly, Labour only applies this to England giving us no information on how it will encourage devolved governments to follow suit.

Labour should promise free access to public transport alongside receiving a healthy eating grant administered by the DWP. Increasing the basic amount of Universal Credit is important in relieving poverty.

Local economies

Economic growth is distributed unevenly, and Labour wants to tackle it. Devolving powers to local authorities and empowering them with Local Growth Plans is good in principle, but Labour's fiscal rules won't give the local authorities the resources they need to make a difference. Power is too centralised in Westminster and Whitehall, though.

Significant resources are needed for feeding growth in areas like Grimsby. These areas have faced perpetual depressions for decades. Local authorities must be shown how to effectively govern their local areas. In Grimsby, the local council has wasted significant resources moving the town's bus station back and forth which doesn't facilitate growth.

Local Growth Plans will add accountability which must be pedagogical in nature. Improving local governance should be the focus not transferring responsibility away from Westminster so ministers cannot get blamed for poor local economic performance. Local authorities funding is well below the bare minimum needed to sustain basic services, let alone facilitate economic growth.

Immigration

Labour's immigration policy involves reforming the points-based system in an unspecified manner. There are no promises of cutting immigration.

Labour vows an end to employers seeking immigrants while not training existing members of the workforce to meet the demands of the job. Companies should invest in workers, so they have the skills for carrying out their jobs.

Climate Change

Climate change is an existential crisis for humanity, requiring human ingenuity and immense willpower ensuring a catastrophe doesn't happen. Labour's proposals are realistic, but unfortunately don't go far enough. The goal of making the UK energy independent fuelled by clean energy is correct. Its commitment for a zero-carbon electricity system by 2030 is an ambitious step towards building a zero-carbon economy.

Labour must commit to creating a zero-carbon economy. It is unacceptable allowing gas reserves to feature in the UK for decades to come, for instance. Refusing to tell people that they'll need to remove gas boilers signals they're insufficiently committed doing what's necessary for protecting our environment and the future generations who'll inherit this planet.

Furthermore, climate change plays no role within its methodology of governance. Climate change isn't the core issue in which every policy and decision is made. Reforming public transport should be done with the aim of achieving Net Zero. Fiscal prudence should emphasise the growth of decarbonised industry. Preventive healthcare should focus on promoting healthy dieting with economic support in making healthy foods affordable. These healthier diets, especially vegan ones, will assist in tackling climate change.

Green Industrial Strategy

Being energy self-sufficient through clean energy is ambitious. It rightly sees the huge economic potential in turning Britain into a green superpower. This is the best means of attaining long-term sustainable growth. However, the New Realist would go further arguing for a Green Industrial Revolution.

Labour wants the industrial heartlands to be the epicentre of green industry. In line with the National Wealth Fund, the Green Prosperity Plan will create 650,000 new jobs across the UK by 2030. Scotland will be the powerhouse of providing clean energy, with local supply chains playing a role as well. Great British Energy, a new public company, promises cheaper energy prices through promoting a drive towards clean energy and a zero-carbon electricity grid by 2030.

Labour is correct in emphasising the economic, and geopolitical, benefits of striving for energy independence. The Russian invasion of Ukraine demonstrated that energy dependency makes us vulnerable to energy price shocks, causing the cost-of-living crisis. Reducing electricity bills is critical for alleviating that crisis, but also decarbonising energy intensive industries. Reduced electricity costs will make British industry more competitive attracting investment facilitating economic growth.

Labour's makes no international commitments other than it intends of leading by example. Only through leading by example and achieving prosperity through creating a zero-carbon and net zero economy will we see global action on tackling climate change.

Circular Economy

Labour offers no details on how Britain will move to a circular economy, which is essential for building ecologically sustainable economic growth.

Nature

Planting three new National Forests in England is welcome. More needs doing protecting the natural ecosystem of the UK, however. Cultivating genetically engineered food, rather than relying on traditional farming, will free up large chunks of land for reforestation and protecting Britain's wildlife. Labour does offer tough policies on energy firms polluting our clean water which is also welcome.

Crime and Policing

Neighbourhood policing is the pillar of policing through consent making voters feel safe, while promoting law and order on our streets. Recruiting thousands of new police officers, community support officers and special constables will make neighbourhood policing a reality. Likewise, "Young Futures" is a promising initiative ensuring young people don't get caught up in the web of crime. Through community support, we can establish justice through consent and provide necessary support for vulnerable groups.

Labour's tough sounding talk about tackling knife crime will appeal to conservative voters of all classes. Warnings are clearly meaningless so the change in approach is welcome. The New Realist is concerned that there is a separation between the Youth Offender Team initiative tackling knife crime amongst young people, and Young Futures. The two should be integrated together.

Introducing "Respect Orders" for dealing with anti-social behaviour is unhelpful. It will help reduce anti-social behaviour in town centres, but it will not tackle the root cause of such behaviour. It's laughable thinking that "Respect Orders" will reduce drug crimes. Labour should focus on turning drug addiction into a health matter.

Stopping anti-social behaviour requires enforcing "Discipline as freedom", and responsibility, into offenders. They must be taught how to respect themselves and others. Support from the military in teaching this will help deal with recidivism and anti-social behaviour. Trauma, and men's mental health, support is also important necessary in tackling anti-social behaviour.

More support for victims of rape among women and children is much needed, though will likely not address the core issue preventing prosecutions of rape. Having specialist teams for dealing with rape and sexual offences will help protect women from repeat offenders. Dedicated support for victims of domestic abuse, with legal advocates within police forces, will help tackle domestic abuse.

Prisons

The UK should follow the Swedish system focusing on tough rule enforcement within prisons facilitating rehabilitation discouraging recidivism. Labour offers promising plans on facilitating prisoners back into society through working with learning providers, local employers and the voluntary sector. Offering support for the children of prisoners will help break the cycle of crime breeding crime.

Justice

Labour highlights that there is no link between sentencing and the perceived level of justice. People are losing faith in the legal system as a result. It gives no details, other than a review of sentencing, on rectifying this issue. The building of new prisons should make tougher sentences more feasible.

Reforming the justice system, so it is more victim focused, is welcome. Victims frequently believe the system isn't on their side.

It is welcome seeing the 'Hillsborough Law' being supported "which will place a legal duty of candour on public servants and authorities, and provide legal aid for victims of disasters or state- related deaths".

Reducing Poverty

New Labour's good work in reducing poverty has been undermined by 14 years of Conservative government. Child poverty has increased by 700,000 under the Tories. Strong and secure economic foundations are required for alleviating poverty, which Labour is correct in emphasising.

Labour pledges to get back on track with eradicating homelessness from our society but gives us no time frame on achieving this goal. Likewise, it seeks reductions in the level of child poverty, but doesn't specify the extent or timeframe.

Renters

Labour has promised a significant legislative overhaul empowering renters. 'No fault' evictions will be banned, legislation preventing discrimination against private renters, empower tenants to challenge unreasonable rent rises, and standards will be raised by applying Awaab's law - which puts strict time limits on landlords dealing with health-related matters, like mould in properties - to the private sector. These proposals are strong. However, there is no mention about increasing the stock of social housing which would greatly help make affordable housing more accessible to millions.

Education

Investing in new teachers, the skills of existing teachers, and focusing on retaining teachers is essential for a strong education system. Labour promises recruiting 6,500 new teachers in core areas were they're shortages. It is vague on how it intends to tackle retention issues. The New Realist believes the focus should on making teachers feel valued and reducing the workload on teachers. Teaching is a very intense and pressurised profession which should be rewarding but isn't. Increasing pay will help, but ultimately teachers must feel valued and gain purpose from teaching.

Updating the curriculum addressing essential speaking, digital and creative skills, alongside the traditional skills in English, Maths and Science is important. It is not clear what is being referred to by 'digital skills' but encouraging responsible use of the internet at an early age is important. Young kids should also learn programming/coding, while understanding the role AI will play in our society. Ecological conservation and finance should also be prominent, which Labour hasn't addressed.

Building 3,000 nurseries, alongside Primary schools, will help boost support for young kids in our societies. Assisting headteachers and other school leaders by introducing the "Excellence in Leadership Programme" will promote positive change in schools. Free breakfast clubs for all children in all primary schools will help combat the effects of child poverty, while also improving educational outcomes.

Having a dedicated mental health professional in every school will help tackle mental health issues amongst the young. This will work in coordination with "Young Futures". Mental health is a huge barrier in ensuring good educational outcomes. The New Realist hopes that this approach will also help deal with disruptive students instead of just excluding them because they're a nuisance.

Investing in the people of Britain will reap the most benefits for the nation.

Further and Higher Education

Increasing productivity is a prime metric for measuring the sustainability of economic growth in the long run. Utilising innovative technology and ensuring your workers are adequately skilled improve productivity. Labour acknowledges that our workforce is ill equipped for the demands of the workplace.

Establishing Skills England will assist in promoting training and skill development throughout the workforce. Skilling up the existing workforce and the unemployed is critical for improving economic performance. Investing in the people of Britain will reap the most benefits for the nation. Labour does not specify how it will work with devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland so the people in all the nations have the benefit from enhanced productivity.

Social Equality

Labour has promised new legislation which will ensure racial and ethnic minorities get equal pay also tackling dual discrimination, while also strengthen protection for women in getting equal pay and face discrimination because of maternity and menopause. Likewise, disabled people will get the right for equal pay enshrined in law, with large companies expected to report on disabled and ethnic minority pay gaps.

All strands of hate crime will become an aggravated offence, including hate crimes against disabled and LGTBQ+ people. A trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapies will finally be implemented.

Creative Britain

The New Realist welcomes Labour's support for the creative industries and making access easier especially for consumers. The National Music Education Network should facilitate easy access to music education, for example.

Healthcare

Shifting the strategy of the NHS to preventing illness is a much-needed change. Healthcare systems that focus on preventing illness perform better than those curing symptoms. Monitoring chronic conditions and tackling the killers - cancer, cardiovascular disease and suicide - also makes a great deal of sense. The most ambitious pledge, though, is raising the healthiest generation of children in the nation's history.

Integrating healthcare and social care is a must as well given our aging population. Creating Neighbourhood Health Centres which "puts family doctors, district nurses, care workers, physiotherapists, palliative care, and mental health specialists under one roof" gives the New Realist strong confidence that the NHS will be in good hands under Labour.

Reducing waiting lists is the immediate priority for Labour. It will incentivise NHS staff in taking out of hours appointments. The main concern is it will impose even more intense workload on NHS staff which is already too high. Pooling shared waiting lists may allow for a more efficient allocation of appointments. Labour will return to performance standards in which patients should only wait 18 weeks between referral to a consultant-led treatment of non-urgent health conditions.

Mental health will also get the same attention and focus as physical health. Given we're in a mental health epidemic, this is a much-needed change. We've seen through "Young Futures" and ensuring each school has a mental health professional show that Labour's commitment to improving the mental wellbeing of the nation is sincere. Labour acknowledges that treatment of people with autism and learning disabilities, like me, is a disgrace, but offers no solutions in the manifesto. Autistic people are terribly let down by the system with an unemployment rate of 80%, despite us having many unique talents.

Fostering innovation through using data science and the life sciences, alongside governments partnering with industry and academia, will boost healthcare outcomes. Boosting access to clinical trials, incentivising innovation and removing barriers to introducing new products will improve the NHS as a service. Labour promises to double the number of CT and MRI scanners that use AI allowing for quicker diagnosis. Too many buildings are in a state of disrepair. The NHS App putting the patient at the centre of their own healthcare managing medicines, and appointments, is an obvious improvement.

Procurement of staff is a high priority as well. Labour will train thousands more GPs so that we can benefit from having a family doctor so that ongoing and complex cases are managed by the same doctor over the long-term. More staff will be trained to see patients. Negotiations will begin with junior doctors who have been striking over pay conditions, in contrast to the Conservatives. NHS mangers will get support and accountability regulating their performances.

Dentistry will be reformed radically as well. Prevention will become a core focus within recruiting more dentists, so appointments are more easily accessible.

Social Care

Labour will introduce a National Care Service focussing on providing care to homes first. There will be a Fair Pay Agreement which will be a collective arrangement for pay rates. This will improve the working conditions of carers who do an important but undervalued service in this country.

Public Health

Banning smoking for a certain generation but not others is discriminatory and won't work. Likewise, the same for banning energy drinks for under-16s. Improving public health requires making healthier foods and drinks cheaper than unhealthy foods. Making them all more difficult to buy would help as well. Banning advertising on vaping and processed foods will have a limited effect unless combined with making healthy food more lucrative price wise.

Public Service

Setting up an Ethics and Integrity Commission, with its own independent Chair, is Labour's proposal for bringing integrity back into politics. Unless this Commission has significant powers in regulating the behaviour of MPs in real-time, this won't achieve the desired outcome. All MP candidates should be trained in the values of public service, and knowledge required for competency. Furthermore, ministers should get trained in the subject of the department they will work in. MPs should face regular intense audits monitoring performance triggering by-elections if the MP fails to meet a certain standard of integrity and competence in performing their duties.

Banning MPs having a secondary job is a common-sense proposal. MPs should be focussed entirely on their duty to the public. Having a second job simply doesn't fit the bill. Banning ex-MPs working for companies they used to regulate should be enforced immediately, because it creates conflicts of interest which inhibit integrity and opens the system up to corruption.

Constitutional Reform

The New Realist fully supports this expansion of the suffrage to 16 and 17 year-olds.

Labour's proposed reform of the House of Lords is underwhelming. Hereditary peers in the House of Lords will be no more and there will be a retirement age of 80 years old for peers. Labour will make the House of Lords more representative, while ensuring better quality appointments. The New Realist supports a fully elected second chamber.

National Cooperation

Respecting the powers and integrity of the devolved governments, resetting relations, is important for healing national division. All the nations need promoting, especially Scotland, so that's its proud heritage features heavily nationally and internationally. Protecting free speech in Holyrood, Stormont and Cardiff Bay is essential so MSPs, MLAs, and MSs can hold power to account.

Labour is committed, thankfully, to improving relations with Ireland ensuring that the letter and spirit of the Good Friday Agreement is upheld. Brexit has put huge strains on the Good Friday Agreement placing Northern Ireland's membership in the United Kingdom at risk.

Rebuilding Relationships

Labour seeks a strong Britain strengthening our relationship with natural allies while focusing on delivering prosperity nationally and abroad. Britain will remain outside the EU and the Single Market, while seeking a more involved role in the future of Europe. Resetting our alliances with our European neighbours is important geopolitically. Labour's promise of remaining in the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) shouldn't even have to be made, but we won't be leaving under a Labour government.

The New Realist find this deep trust in the United States troublesome. There is a high probability that the fascist Donald Trump will be elected President and the US Constitution undermined as a result. How can Britain ally itself with a country that potentially will debase the very values the special relationship is supposedly based upon? The UK must be more wary of our American cousins who are going down a different path than us Brits. If the US does become fascist, we must acknowledge that the destinies and values of our two countries are no longer linked.

Creating a new European security pact shows much needed boldness. It is evidence that there is uncertainty about our relationship with the United States, despite the rhetoric. Furthermore, Europe must take responsibility for its own defence becoming less reliant on the US irrespective of which direction it takes. Britain plays a crucial role in this.

The New Realist is unconvinced that leaving NATO is right for the security of the UK. The UK faces security threats from both Iran, Russia and China. Withdrawing from NATO would isolate the UK further, while providing no tangible security benefit. Rebuilding our alliances is the best approach strategically for the UK.

Defence

Assessing the threats posed and ensuring we have the capabilities addressing them is a core aspect of governing. Strengthening the Armed Forces is necessary because our military capabilities are insufficient if Britain did get involved in a major war. The New Realist does not support war mongering but that is no guarantee of peace either.

Ukraine, Russia and China

Britain will take a leading role in admitting Ukraine into NATO, while giving them seized Russian assets. Labour's support for Ukraine, though commendable, ignores the lack of an endgame. Admitting Ukraine into NATO amidst fighting would violate NATO's rules on who can join, but far worse also risk triggering World War 3, because a NATO member would be fighting Russia. NATO membership, consequently, must follow a peace agreement.

Ukraine either needs a strong bargaining position, or Russia must see an even worse outcome for them. Both will be needed for a favourable settlement for Ukraine. The alternative to NATO membership is Ukraine having nuclear warheads themselves. Ukraine surrendered its nuclear warheads in the Budapest memorandum in exchange for respecting its sovereignty, which has now been violated. Having another India-Pakistan situation isn't ideal, but letting an imperialist power annex an entire country is completely unacceptable.

Labour's China strategy best reflects our relationship with them. Trade benefits both countries with cooperation needed on climate change, but they are not our ally posing a security threat to this country. China, Russia and the US seek dominion over their respective spheres of influence. The US sphere circumnavigates most of the globe, while China wants a new international order in which it is at the centre of. All are imperialist powers with the US being the top dog for the moment.

Economic Cooperation

The main highlight is advocacy for a free trade agreement with India and cooperating with partners in the Gulf States. India has huge potential for growth and the Gulf States have significant wealth which can attract private investment. Facilitating stronger relations between India and the UK is important. As a socialist publication, the New Realist advocates assisting our allies in the Indian polity fighting the ethno-nationalism taking over the largest democracy in the world.

Likewise, it is promising that Labour recognises potential in Africa.

Climate Leadership

COP26 was a wasted opportunity for Britain. Labour promises to demonstrate climate leadership in front of Bangladesh, Pakistan and COP30 hosts Brazil. Britain will establish a Clean Power Alliance.

Palestine

"We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state." It is not clear whether this is a mere restatement of support for the two-state solution, or whether Labour intends on following Norway's recognition of Palestine. The former would be more in keeping with traditional UK foreign policy, while the latter would be a welcome symbolic move given our role in Mandatory Palestine and our special relationship with the United States, Israel's chief ally.

Labour's manifesto demonstrates its 'viability for governance', which is its intended purpose. The New Realist is not convinced that Labour's economic reforms are substantially backed for a major break away from the political economy causing misery for millions. As a result, if Labour fails in achieving economic growth, then we will see a boost for the populist right as seen throughout Europe and in Germany.

Emphasising fiscal prudence and discipline is fair enough and fully supported by the New Realist. The manner of the discipline is problematic for it shows no understanding of how government finances work and imposes far too much discipline on the state. Significant areas of Britain need substantial investment because of decades of decadence, negligence and ruin. A new political economy based upon a radical social democracy is needed so that the country can truly transform itself taking the leadership role on the global stage that Labour admirably wants.

Labour's strong health policy focuses on preventive healthcare, integrating healthcare and social care, placing impetus on resolving our mental health epidemic, improving performance standards, and fostering innovation within the NHS. A Labour government will help the most vulnerable in society, but to what extent is unclear.

Labour climate policy shows ambition wanting all electricity generated by zero-carbon methods by 2030 and energy self-sufficiency through clean energy. However, there's no commitment to creating a zero-carbon economy. Labour must show that you can prosper big time by moving to a zero-carbon and net zero economy to show true climate leadership. Only then will other nations take the necessary radical action.

There are hints of radicalism in "Change". It doesn't convince the New Realist that Labour grasps the scale of the problem it will inherit, and solutions needed rectifying them. A Labour government will be a welcome change from the chaos and incompetence of the Conservatives. Unless Labour rises to the occasion, however, the spectre of the populist right will haunt Labour in the years to come.