Angela Rayner sparks fears Labour wants to take Britain back to the 1970s as ... trends now
Labour yesterday sparked fears it wants to take Britain back to the 1970s after Angela Rayner vowed to hand more power to trade unions.
The party's deputy leader said a future Labour government would 'strengthen the role of trade unions in our society'.
She also said the state would take a 'more strategic and active role in our economy'.
Ms Rayner pledged to scrap recent anti-strike laws and introduce new workers' rights within 100 days of taking office, as well as making it easier for union reps to recruit members. Under a 'New Deal for Working People', Ms Rayner said the living wage would rise, zero-hours contracts would be banned and employees would enjoy a range of rights from their first day in a job.
But the plans she unveiled at the Trades Union Congress conference in Liverpool – a day after union barons branded leader Sir Keir Starmer 'untrustworthy' – sparked warnings from senior Tories that they would damage the economy.
Deputy Labour Party leader Angela Rayner speaking at the TUC congress at the ACC Liverpool on Tuesday
Tory chairman Greg Hands said: 'The mask has slipped. Despite Keir Starmer's short-term promises to be pro-business, his deputy leader is committing to Labour's union paymasters that they will have more control over Britain's economy.
'Reversing anti-strike laws will mean more strikes, damaging the economy and disrupting the lives of hardworking people.
'Only the Conservatives are delivering the protections we need to stop Labour-backed union leaders from trying to shut down the country.'
Tory backbencher Louie French said: 'Keir Starmer wants you to believe that he is leading a 1990s Labour tribute act. But Angela Rayner has let the mask slip again. Labour will take Britain back to the 1970s with their union paymasters fully in charge.'
In her speech, Ms Rayner gave a 'cast-iron commitment' that Labour would introduce an employment rights bill within its first 100 days.
She said it would also quickly repeal the Trade Union Act 2016, which increased the threshold for strike ballots, as well as the 'spiteful and bitter' Strikes
