Only Keir Starmer's Labour can stop Liz Truss's government from trashing the economy – Ian Murray MP

As Britain plummets into a self-inflicted economic crisis at the hands of this Tory government, Keir Starmer has set out our alternative vision.

Labour leader Keir Starmer, with his wife Victoria, leaves the stage after giving his keynote address to the party conference in Liverpool (Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

An economy that works for working people and gives Britain its hope and future back.

The atmosphere at Labour conference in Liverpool this week has been electric. Many have said that it feels like we are a government in waiting. After 12 tough years in the wilderness, we’re finally back.

Labour will fight the Tories on economic growth through ambitious, practical plans for jobs, skills and tackling the climate emergency.

In Keir’s inspirational conference speech, he announced our new Green Prosperity Plan to make Britain a green-growth superpower. The plan will create one million new jobs in towns and cities in every corner of the country and allow us to lead the world in renewable energy, electric vehicles and hydrogen power.

He rightly stated our future wealth is in our seas, winds and skies. Labour’s National Wealth Fund and a publicly owned Great British Energy company will ensure that the public have a share in that new wealth.

It was a big announcement as part of a wide-ranging speech showing that Keir is the Prime Minister in waiting – contrast that with the utter chaos created by Liz Truss.

She is burning the house down before she’s evicted. Trashing the economy meaning everyone but the very rich will suffer.

Truss has united the country – against her government. Businesses, workers, the markets, economists, civil servants and even the IMF coming out to criticise last week’s disastrous mini-budget. A budget that gave money to those who don’t need it, paid for by those that can’t afford it.

There is a different way.

After years of fighting incorrect accusations of being anti-business, Labour have finally turned the tides and proved we will be unwavering in our support of UK businesses, making sure they not only survive the cost-of-living crisis but prosper. Government, businesses and trades unions working in partnership to build a fairer, greener and more dynamic economy.

Our new modern industrial strategy and Growth and Skills Levy show exactly what this sort of partnership would look like. Dealing with what businesses tell me every week – they need a workforce fit for the future.

It’s a serious plan for growth rather than a trickle-down economics fantasy being peddled by the charlatans currently in power.

And Scotland needs a Labour government committed to delivering transformative change that Scotland will benefit from – like the announcement to fund the Scottish carbon capture and storage cluster project.

There is a clear message from Labour to Scottish voters.

If you want rid of this Tory government, then help us do it.

If you want a UK Government that benefits Scotland, then help us elect it.

If you want away from false binary choice of independence versus the broken status quo, then help us deliver it.

The Labour Party is a government-in-waiting, ready to take on the country’s challenges and reverse years of Tory damage and neglect.

In Keir’s own words, we will be the political wing of the British people, and achieve great things.

And in the words of my political hero, John Smith – all we ask is the chance to serve.

Ian Murray is Scottish Labour MP for Edinburgh South