Labour moves its tanks on to Tory turf: Rachel Reeves vows to be the 'natural party of British business' as she flaunts support from industry - including Iceland chief who wanted to be a Conservative MP By James Tapsfield, Political Editor For Mailonline Published: 10:32 BST, 28 May 2024 | Updated: 11:47 BST, 28 May 2024 e-mail 38 View comments Rachel Reeves today promised to lead the 'most pro-growth Treasury' in history as she moved to distance Labour from the Corbyn era. The shadow chancellor insisted the party had 'changed', arguing it was now the 'natural party of British business'. Giving a speech in Derby, she promised to give companies a 'bedrock of stability' in which to operate.
She also tried to calm nerves about red tape from workers rights and extra power for unions, saying a Keir Starmer government would be 'pro worker and pro business'. And she signalled Labour's confidence by claiming she was setting the direction for a 'decade of renewal' in government. The Opposition is trumpeting a letter of endorsement from business figures, including Iceland chief Richard Walker - who previously wanted to stand as a Tory candidate.
Other backers of the letter - branding the election a 'chance to change the country' - are television chef Tom Kerridge and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales. However, there are no leaders of FTSE 100 companies. Ms Reeves tried to reassure voters that she would not 'play fast and loose' with public finances, saying she knew taxpayers' money should .
