Jeremy Corbyn today insisted he was a patriotic Briton as he unveiled Labour’s election manifesto.
The party chief revealed the ballot blueprint to a rousing reception at Birmingham City University.
He called it the “most radical and ambitious plan to transform our country in decades”.
It includes plans to axe Universal Credit , give patients free dental checks and slap an £11billion windfall tax on oil companies.
The NHS budget would rise by 4.3% on average per year as Labour pledged to “stabilise” overstretched A&E departments and improve stroke, heart disease and cancer survival rates through earlier diagnosis and better screening.
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Other manifesto measures included free personal care, banning the importation of sick hunting trophies and a 5% public sector pay hike in April, with above-inflation rises in following years.
The party confirmed its plan to renegotiate a Brexit deal with Brussels within three months before staging a second referendum within six months.
Voters would choose between remaining in the EU or quitting the bloc with Labour’s new Withdrawal Agreement.
Tax hikes unveiled today include reversing cuts to inheritance tax, lifting corporation tax from 19% to 26% and putting VAT on private school fees.
But calls to ban private schools – demanded by the #AbolishEton campaign – were rejected, as were plans to move to net zero carbon emissions by 2030, which were apparently watered down after talks with union leaders; to write-off existing student debt; and to extend freedom of movement.
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The 105-page manifesto, titled ‘It’s Time for Real Change’, includes a commitment to continue spending 2% of gross domestic product on the Armed Forces – a key rule of NATO membership.
Labour would also press on with building four nuclear-armed submarines to replace the Vanguard fleet – despite the party leader being a lifelong anti-nuclear campaigner.
Mr Corbyn, a former chairman of the Stop The War Coalition, has previously signalled he would not give the order to launch a nuclear missile.
Meanwhile, questions over his patriotism were raised when he refused to sing the National Anthem at a St Paul’s Cathedral service to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and his decision not to attend the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
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Labour insiders fear the party could lose support from its traditional voters – especially working-class white men – in some of its heartlands in the Midlands, North and South Wales.
Doorstep canvassers privately admit voters regularly bring up Mr Corbyn’s alleged lack of pride in the nation.
But, taking questions after his manifesto launch, the party chief insisted: “I do support this country.
“I am patriotic about this country, I’m patriotic about all people in this country.
“That means patriotism is about caring for the entire society, not walking by on the other side.
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“Patriotism is about supporting each other, not attacking somebody else.”
His support for Britain’s Armed Forces has repeatedly been called into doubt, and he has opposed UK military operations abroad.
But he voiced backing for humanitarian work carried out by British troops in disaster zones.
He told the Mirror: “When I’ve spoken to members of the Armed Forces that went to West Africa to deal with the ebola crisis, or members of the Royal Navy who plucked drowning refugees out of the Mediterranean, they told me how proud they were of the work they have done.
“I want us to be proud of all the work we do, all around the world.”
During his speech outlining the manifesto, activists chanted “Not for sale!” as Mr Corbyn railed against what he claimed were Tory plans to open the NHS to American firms in post-Brexit trade talks with the US.
The Shadow Cabinet sat behind their leader as he reeled off his vision for transforming the country.
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Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth was among frontbenchers standing, clapping his arms high in the air and beaming as he looked at the party leader.
But, after the launch, the rattled Tories hit out at the manifesto.
Former Conservative chairman Brandon Lewis, a Home Office Minister, said: “The publication of Labour’s manifesto has just confirmed what we already knew – Jeremy Corbyn simply doesn’t have a plan for Brexit, and without a plan to get Brexit done he has no credibility on anything else.”
