Sir Keir Starmer was pinned down by Sky News presenter Beth Rigby this morning, who accused the Labour leader of being “timid” and turning off voters.
Sir Keir squirmed as Ms Rigby pointed out the contrast between his rhetoric and his actual policy offerings.
The Sky star said: “Part of your pitch today seems to be to try and energise apathetic voters, but beyond the rhetoric in that speech – and there was lots of it – when you get to the nuts and bolts of a Labour Government; on public services, you say money is so tight you won’t invest; on tax, you more or less ape the Tories; and you seem to be ditching your one big idea which is big money for green investment.
“Your entire pitch seems to be ‘vote Labour to see the back of the Tories’.
“Isn’t there a danger that voters will see you not as a leader of change, but one who’s overly cautious and timid, and who turns them off?”
Responding to the verbal blindside, Sir Keir insisted there are “huge, fundamental differences” between him and the Conservatives.
He reeled off a list of policy pledges that set him apart from the Government, including “the highest sustained growth in the G7”; clean power by 2030; safer streets; improving skills education and the NHS.
He added: “Nobody says to me that’s no different. These are huge, fundamental differences.
“The power this year is with the voters to vote for that change. So I think there’s a huge clear distinction here.”
Sir Keir used the press conference to give one of the clearest signals yet that he is planning on rolling back yet another key pledge, however.
Before Christmas, the Guardian reported that Sir Keir was considering scaling back an ambitious commitment to borrow £28billion a year to invest in green jobs and industry.
The Conservatives have already begun attacking Labour over the plan, warning it would increase borrowing, interest rates and mortgage costs as a result.
A source told the paper: “There will be a pivot in the new year and the £28billion price tag as it exists now is unlikely to survive that.
“Whatever ultimately happens will be a further watering down of the position. This will be the Tories’ number one area of attack so they need to deal with it.”
Answering journalists’ questions this morning Sir Keir said: “If the fiscal rules don’t allow it, then we’ll borrow less.”
While this could suggest Labour will scale back their green investment plans, The Tories have already leapt on the apparent U-turn as a sign Sir Keir will instead raise taxes to pay for Ed Miliband’s investment scheme.
Responding to Sir Keir’s speech offering change and hope for voters, Nigel Farage offered a blunt appraisal.
He said: “Sir Keir Starmer very earnest, talking about change and hope.
“Does he really represent change? Not a chance.”
Commenting on the green investment plan, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Laura Trott MP, said: “One of Sir Keir Starmer’s top team has recommitted to Labour’s £28billion-a-year unfunded spending promises, meaning tax hikes for families across the country. It is the same old irresponsible, short-term approach from Labour – more spending with taxpayers footing the bill.”
