When Keir Starmer’s Labour Party won office in July of this year, there was precious little in the party manifesto that offered hope that things were going to get better. Two promises that stood out amidst nearly 150 pages of vague platitudes were a commitment to rebuild Britain’s “crumbling” infrastructure and a range of reforms to workers’ rights.
Both pledges were thrust onto center stage in early October as Labour unveiled its “Make Work Pay” legislation. At the same time, Starmer prepared for an investment summit at which DP World, which describes itself as “a leading provider of smart logistics solutions,” was due to announce a £1 billion investment in its London Gateway port in Essex.
On October 9, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh denounced DP World’s subsidiary company P&O Ferries as a “rogue operator” for illegally firing 786 staff in 2022 and replacing them with agency workers on lower pay. Within days, DP World had decided to shelve the London Gateway announcement, leading to a flurry of corrections from government sources.
“Louise Haigh’s comments were her own personal view and don’t represent the view of the government,” was the comment from an official in Starmer’s office, while Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told the BBC, “No, that is not the government’s position.” Starmer himself made a statement to that effect, leading DP World to issue the following statement:
Following constructive and positive discussions with the government, we have been given the clarity we need. We look forward to participating in Monday’s international investment summit.
…
La suite est à lire sur: jacobin.com
Auteur: Jonny Jones
