Sir Keir Starmer pledged to support “common ownership” when he became Leader of The Labour Party on 4th April 2020. Fifth on his list of ten pledges read… “Public services should be in public hands, not making profits for shareholders. Support common ownership of rail, mail, energy and water; end outsourcing in our NHS, local government and justice system.” He also pledged to… “Work shoulder to shoulder with trade unions to stand up for working people, tackle insecure work and low pay. Repeal the Trade Union Act. Oppose Tory attacks on the right to take industrial action and the weakening of workplace rights.”
But, just a couple of days ago, Keir Starmer distanced himself from his pledge to support nationalisation, another name for “common ownership”. In interview after interview, he would not commit to an agenda of nationalisation. Yet, now we hear that Ofgem’s energy price cap will rise by 77% in October and that will make gas and electricity unaffordable for millions of UK citizens. It’s worse for businesses too. Just this morning, I saw this tweet…
Just two years ago, I was paying 10p per KWh. My provider Symbio went bust, and I was passed on to Eon. I now pay 29p per KWh and a highly inflated standing charge, and I’m now looking forward to a 77% increase in October. We’re now in an emergency situation and it’s obvious that the Conservative policy on energy will need to be addressed quickly by whoever wins the Leadership Contest. I’ve heard many calls now for nationalisation under emergency legislation and that seems to be the best, and quickest, solution to this problem. Dividends are being paid, while at the same time people are scared to turn on their gas fires. So, if nationalisation occurs, and it is the Conservatives who make it happen, Starmer will be on the wrong side of the argument. Don’t forget that it was the Conservatives who recently brought private rail companies into public ownership, so this idea is not as far fetched as it sounds. Looks like Starmer may need a neck massage if he U-Turns on his latest U-Turn.
