Labour’s offer: ‘dullifesto’ or a bold plan for

In making wealth the number one priority, Keir Starmer is agreeing to longstanding economic myths, writes Bernie Evans. Plus letters from Yvonne Williams, Anthony Cheke and Eva Tutchell

With “stable economic growth” at the heart of Labour’s manifesto, and wealth creation “the number one priority”, it would appear that Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have agreed not only to Tory fiscal rules, but also to longstanding economic myths, still parroted by the government but discredited by almost all serious economists. As your editorial (13 June) states, persuading businesses to “behave very differently from the ways it has grown used to” is going to be difficult enough, especially as the last decade has seen a propensity to seek quick profits, a reliance on cheap labour, an absence of serious investment in training and technology, and an obvious over-rewarding of bosses.

Even more difficult for Labour is persuading voters like those in East Thanet – who are “utterly ground down, mums who are doing three jobs, can’t get childcare”, to quote Polly Billington in Gaby Hinsliff’s article (Hope is not enough: people want to know that Keir Starmer can fix things, 14 June) – that the wealth created will “trickle down” to them, when, despite living in the sixth-richest economy in the world, it never has before. Manifestos often do huge damage and change voters’ intentions quickly, usually because of what they include; this one could well be detrimental because of what it doesn’t.