Keir StarmerThe leader of the UK Labour Party since 2020 and British prime minister since July 2024. launched Labour's manifesto with a reference to magic tricks and a dig at Nigel FarageA British politician and broadcaster who has served as Leader of Reform UK since June 2024.. The document contained no "rabbits out of the hat," he told his audience: "If you want politics as pantomime, I hear ClactonA seaside town in Essex, England, where Nigel Farage is standing to be MP in 2024. is nice."

Starmer explained that Labour had five "missions to rebuild Britain". These were to kickstart economic growth; make Britain a "clean energy superpower"; reduce violent crime and restore faith in the justice system; reform education and childcare; and rebuild the NHSThe National Health Service, the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK. The NHS was founded in 1948..

In the headlines. Labour is presenting itself as the party of "wealth creation" which will improve living standards for working people. It aims to encourage more investment in training and technology to make the economy more efficient.

Economy. There will be no increases in income tax, VATShort for value added tax. It is payable to the government by a business that sells an item. Essential items like food are zero-rated. Children's clothes are also exceptions., national insuranceIn the UK, a tax on money you earn, either from your job or by being self-employed. or corporation taxA tax on the profits of a business.. Money will be raised by clamping down on tax avoidanceWhen a person finds legal loopholes to avoid taxes/pay less tax. It is different to tax evasion, which is when someone does not pay taxes in an illegal way. . Growth will be boosted by building 1.5 million new homes. As much as £3.5bn will be invested in green energy.

Education. Setting up school breakfast clubs and creating 100,000 more places in nursery schools. Adding 20% VAT to private school fees and using the money to pay for 6,500 extra teachers in state schools.

Immigration. The scheme to send asylum seekersPeople who have left their countries due to danger and are seeking refuge elsewhere. to RwandaA country in the centre of Africa. At least 500,000 people were killed in the appalling genocide of 1994. will be scrapped. £75m from this will be spent on a new Border and Security Command to combat illegal immigration.

Health and social care. Recruiting more NHS staff and introducing weekend services to provide two million extra appointments, scans and operations a year. A National Care Service will focus on treating people at home as far as possible.

Society. Keir Starmer wants to improve standards of behaviour in parliament to avoid the scandals of recent years. The House of Lords will be reformed by getting rid of hereditary peersMembers of the House of Lords who have inherited their position from their parents. There are currently 92 hereditary peers in the HoL. . Workers' rights will be strengthened - for example, by banning zero-hours contractsAn employment contract which offers no guarantee of any paid work. .

Some commentators dubbed Starmer "Captain Cautious", since the manifesto did not contain any big surprises. Left-wingers complained that it should have gone further, while ConservativesA traditionally right-wing or centre right political party in the UK. Members are sometimes called Tories. described it as a "tax trap".

According to Paul Johnson, head of the Institute of Fiscal StudiesAn independent economic research institute which focuses on UK tax policy. , Starmer is offering "a dizzying number of reviews and strategies to tackle some of the challenges facing the country".¹ But making real change requires investment - "and Labour's manifesto offers no indication that there is a plan for where the money would come from to finance this".

"The danger for Labour is that they're not offering us enough clarity on the change and being supercautious," agrees Robert Shrimsley of the Financial Times.² "But on the other hand, the Conservatives have got themselves into a place where maybe it doesn't matter that much."

And Tom Hamilton, writing on Labour List, argues that there is plenty to be excited about, "from investment in green transition to big changes to workers' rights".

Do you agree?

Yes: Keir Starmer is offering change in a way that works for everyone, rather than taking away from some and giving to others. The lack of gimmicks shows that he plans to govern in a responsible way.

No: Starmer is trying too hard to be like the Conservatives. Since he has promised not to raise key taxes, he will have to cut public services if his plans for growth do not work out.

Or... The manifesto matters far less than the people he chooses to execute it. The Conservatives will lose the election not because of their policies, but because voters think they are incompetent.