Policy U-turns that the left interprets as surrender to a Blairite revanche are construed by the leader’s allies as rational choices by a man who wants to win an election, has looked at the evidence of how it can be done and will be ruthless in taking down obstacles in his path.
They’ve changed plans because the circumstances have changed. And to some extent, they’ve changed message because the target audience has changed.
They haven’t canned the £28 bn. It was just a recognition that you can’t magic up a whole load of results just because the cash is available. That’s how you get disasters like unusable PPE, flammable clad ing or concrete that crumbles to dust.
Most unions back the proposals, as does the TUC. Sure, they want them to go further, but do you really think any group is going to go, ‘Yep, that’s everything we wanted. No further demands from us!’ It’s our job as trade unionists to demand more!
They were the result of not spending enough money, and going for the cheapest options available (then using them way beyond their intended lifespan in the case of RAAC), not overinvestment.
But I don’t want to draw out an argument, so let’s just agree to disagree. I hope you’re right though.