Cooper starts Labour fight-back

Yvette Cooper starts Labour fight-back

Monday, 18, Aug 2008 12:00

Yvette Cooper, Treasury chief secretary and a Brownite loyalist, has launched the opening salvo of Labour's autumn fight-back with a stinging attack on David Cameron.

In a speech set to be delivered later this week, Ms Cooper will describe how Mr Cameron distracts voters with photo opportunities while pursuing a traditionally Conservative tax-cutting agenda.

It comes before a high-profile trip to the Beijing Olympics closing ceremony by Gordon Brown, before the conference season starts in September.

"Cameronomics is emerging, in which photo ops, warm words and conflicting promises attempt to distract from a risky and destructive ideological agenda," Ms Cooper will say.

"Cameron knows that his party are keen for some traditional Tory red meat, especially on tax cuts. Their policy positions also reveal ideological stances which would be bad for the British economy.

"They remain hostile to government action at a time when the role of government is critical to stability and prosperity," she will add.

"They are opposed on principle to government involvement in redistribution, even when those on lowest income are facing the greatest squeeze."

The launch of an economic attack on the Tories – one which is expected to be coupled with moves to help the less well-off - is timed to coincide with the Conservatives' 'economy week', spearheaded by shadow chancellor George Osborne.