# The Guardian view on Labour’s growth obsession: a different economics is possible | Editorial

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-guardian-view-on-labours-growth-obsession-a-different-economics-is-possible-editorial/
- Published: 2026-11-03T18:30:56+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T23:03:43+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/nov/03/the-guardian-view-on-labours-growth-obsession-a-different-economics-is-possible
- Topics: Government, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Labour should not make social progress depend on economic growth.
- Local investment and redistribution can improve daily life.
- Communities need more say over essential services and development.

## Summary

The Guardian editorial argues that Labour’s focus on economic growth as a precondition for social progress is misguided. Economists Karel Williams and Sukhdev Johal contend that a return to past growth rates may be unrealistic, and that growth concentrated in city centres will not resolve hardship in less prosperous towns. The article says social democrats can improve people’s lives without waiting for GDP to rise.

It calls for redistributive fiscal policies to reduce bills and greater investment in local essentials such as transport, utilities, care and other public infrastructure. Andy Burnham’s decision to bring Greater Manchester’s buses under public control and cap fares is presented as one example. The editorial also argues that devolution should give communities more control, pointing to a development corporation in Middleton shaped by residents and local businesses.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.