Keir Starmers debut as the Labour party leader at an online conference appears to be off to a good start. Since his election, the party has drawn almost level with the Conservatives in the polls, and more Britons are in favor of him taking over as Prime Minister than Boris Johnson. He has also established a solid reputation in navigating the Covid crisis.
The challenge for Starmer now lies in distancing the party from the extremism of Corbynism that drove away voters in the last election. However, Starmer has yet to take a strong stance on Labours 2019 manifesto. He must reassess the partys policies, drop some of the more contentious ones, and establish his own vision for the future.
Winning the publics trust on economic management is crucial, and according to polls, the Conservatives are still perceived as the better option for this. Therefore, Starmer has to convince voters that Labour will be prudent with taxes, even if it means sacrificing some of the partys cherished policies.
Ironically, one of the most challenging policies for Starmer to abandon is the promise of free university tuition. This was a key element of Labours campaign in 2017, leading to a substantial surge of support from younger voters and students. However, the policy is unsustainable, cost up to £6 billion annually, and benefits mainly better-off graduates, redistributing wealth upwards, which goes against the partys goal of promoting equality.
Instead of focusing on free tuition, Labour should concentrate on early years education, technical education, and apprenticeships. These policies would help reduce inequality, boost the economy, and potentially re-establish Labour in the "red wall" seats they lost in the last election.
Although Starmer has gained momentum, he must start clarifying his position on these issues soon. Dropping the policy of free tuition will be contentious in the party, where many still see it as a sacred cow. However, if he can convince the majority of Labour members and the public that this is the right move, he will take a significant step towards winning the next election.
Is higher education to be merely an exclusive establishment for the affluent where they can capitalize on social connections to further their professions? Or should it serve as a fundamental platform for eliminating disparities and aiding economic growth, a cause that is frequently disregarded by a lot of renowned institutions? Eradicating tuition fees is not an effective solution for tackling these quandaries.
