Party Manifesto
Labour’s plan for 2007 aims to adapt to and continue the progress of British society while maintaining the principles championed by the British people for the past century. Every goal of the Labour Party emanates from our values of social justice, security, reward for hard work, and strong national and international communities.
Since 1997, Labour has advanced Britain in unprecedented ways, providing opportunities to Britons across the nation. Our plan for 2007 is based on the same values that have brought success to Britain’s families for the past ten years. Labour believes that, acting as a collective society, Britain can continue to move families forward while advancing our economy and ensuring the prosperity and security of every citizen.
Labour’s manifesto is born of the convergence of the thoughts and ideals of people from all parts of society. As a democratic, socialist party those from all walks of life may join to have their say and influence policy. New ideas are vital to growth and development. By bringing all voices to the table, Britain can increase the standing of every man and woman, realizing the right of opportunity for all.
Iranian Nuclear Proliferation
Labour stands fully committed to international peace and security, championing international cooperation as a means of resolving disputes and advocating for the decreased proliferation of nuclear weapons. In combating Iranian nuclear proliferation, Labour plans to cooperate with the international community including the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States. Labour maintains that use of force is not ideal for resolving international disputes and would oppose any use of force against Iran’s nuclear program.
The Labour party is confident that nuclear nonproliferation can be achieved through diplomatic measures. The Party would support economic sanctions against Iran in conjunction with the European Union and the Security Council. The Party would also support stricter individual sanctions in conjunction with the United States if UN Security Council policies failed to deter Iran’s nuclear ambitions. In addition, the Labour Party would urge the Britain’s peers to participate in diplomatic talks with Tehran. Labour would oppose continued efforts to isolate Iran from the international community, as the party believes that such a strategy is not conducive to international peace and security. A Labour government would remain committed to these diplomatic values and solutions in its dealings with Iran, the United States, and the international community.
Immigration and Asylum
Labour immigration policy must seek to strike a balance between furthering economic growth and continuing Britain’s position as a world leader in providing a haven for those escaping persecution. Labour maintains the position that immigration is central to the success of the British economy, but that government must maintain controls to ensure maximum control over entrance to the country.
In 2005, Labour introduced a five year plan to reform immigration, of which the main provision was a points system designed to select the right individuals to meet Britain’s skills needs. Under this system, applicants are evaluated based on education and background. Their skills are then matched with the needs of British business.
In addition to ensuring a robust work force, the plan increases the security of the immigration system by including penalties for businesses that hire illegal immigrants and safeguards against abuse of the asylum system. Labour leadership has maintained that reforming the immigration system will require time and effort: we do not claim to have fast and easy solutions. In 2007 the Labour Party will support continued implementation of our program to reform the system and benefit both Britain’s economy as well as those seeking asylum.
In addition, over the next five years Labour plans to further progress its immigration policy by implementing an electronic borders system tracking visitors entering and leaving the UK. 2007 will mark the year of introducing biometric “ePassports,” along with national ID cards. Labour will enact measures to ensure efficiency and control over the asylum process, fast-tracking all unfounded asylum seekers with electronic tagging and increased use of detention when necessary. We will accelerate the removal of failed asylum seekers. Labour will take measures to ensure the cooperation of the international community in these advancement’s of Britain’s immigration system. By honoring obligations to victims of persecution without allowing abuse of the asylum system, Labour will ensure strong and secure borders for the UK.
Education
As the party of all Britons, Labour recognizes education as the right rather than the privilege of every child. Over the past ten years, Britain has made significant progress in improving the realization of this right for the nation’s children. Schools tailored to students’ needs, specializing in specific areas like business, engineering, and arts, have provided students with a vast set of opportunities while meeting the needs of the British labor market. Building on this success, Labour would maintain support for this education model as well as the ten percent selection rate as an option for schools in selecting students on the basis of aptitude rather than religious preference. Labour would sustain a continued focus on improving underperforming schools through teacher outreach programs, increased funding, and state control of failing schools.
Labour also believes in giving parents options for their children by allowing them to choose the school of their preference – a method that has the additional effect of producing excellence by encouraging competition among schools. Finally, Labour support would support increasing the required schooling age to 18 in an effort to give Britain’s students an advantage in the competition of the world marketplace. The priority of education for all is vital to success of British society, and Labour hopes to make wider the array of opportunities for advancement available to parents and students.
National Health Service
Labour is proud to boast the creation of the National Health Service, which has brought healthcare to every Briton since 1948. While absolutely vital to the well-being of Britons, the National Health Service calls for modernization and increased efficiency. At the center of this is the need for patient-centered care. The aim is for an NHS that is free and personal to all. This will be backed by high standards, sustained investment, new providers, and giving more power to patients. Practice-based commissioning is being developed, consequently allowing family doctors more control over budgets. In addition, Labour pledges to cut waiting times by ten percent. The integration of health and social care at the local levels will continue to be promoted, and extending patient choice is crucial.
Gasoline Tax
The Labour Party recognizes the scarcity of natural gas as an energy resource and that, as a fuel-importing nation, Britain must take necessary steps to conserve limited resources. In addition, Labour is fully committed to the value of environmental responsibility. Labour has made strides in cutting carbon dioxide emissions, and in 2007, we hope to continue this effort while sustaining adequate energy sources and encouraging competitive energy markets in Britain and around the world.
Labour maintains its commitment to meeting these important objectives and goals. Necessary to this process is the Hydrocarbon duty. As a leader in Europe and the world, Britain must continue to exercise responsibility in meeting its need for fuel. As the United Kingdom leads the fight against global warming, our responsibility increases. Labour maintains that the hydrocarbon duty has legitimized Britain as a leader in fuel conservation and environmental protection, setting an example for other European nations. For these reasons, the party advocates maintaining the hydrocarbon duty at its current rate.
The Euro
As an economic leader in Europe and the world, Britain must protect its national interests while maintaining economic cooperation with our regional neighbors. To ensure the security of the British economy, Labour has designed five economic tests by which our nation may evaluate the Euro in considering its adoption. These evaluations are designed to ensure that the Euro would easily integrate into the business structures of the UK; allow flexibility to system change; encourage investment in the UK; promote higher growth, stability, and new jobs; and have a positive effect on Britain’s financial services industry.
In 2007, Labour will continue implementation of this careful analysis. Labour believes that the economic interests of Britain must take priority, and the party will enact economic policies that reflect this principle. Should the Euro pass the five economic evaluations, heavy consideration must then be given to how to best implement a policy of conversion that will bring the greatest benefit the British people.
