During his 2020 leadership campaign, Keir Starmer committed to the nationalisation of rail, mail, energy, and water. This promise was a continuation of the Labour Party’s historical stance under Jeremy Corbyn, aiming to ensure fair pricing, improved service quality, and a transition to green energy.

However, Starmer's stance shifted after he became Labour leader by ruling out nationalisation, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and pragmatic solutions over ideological commitments. He stated that Labour would focus on ensuring efficient public services without necessarily bringing them into public ownership. This shift was partly influenced by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to present Labour as a fiscally responsible alternative to the Conservative government​.

Initially, Starmer supported the idea of bringing the six main energy companies under public ownership to address issues like rising costs, energy security, and the need for a green transition. However, as economic conditions tightened, Starmer and his shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, indicated that full-scale nationalisation might not be feasible within their fiscal framework.

The inconsistency in Starmer's statements has created confusion among voters and party members, with many calling for clearer commitments to nationalisation​.

SOURCES

1st Video: Keir Starmer on the Andrew Neil Show - 4/3/20 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SWIfkPw_R4

2nd Video: Starmer 'doesn't agree with nationalisation of energy companies' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyL6iaNLEoY

3. Labour conference votes to nationalise energy - https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-67056005

4. Keir Starmer rules out nationalising Big Six energy firms - https://www.independent.co.uk/business/keir-starmer-rules-out-nationalising-big-six-energy-firms-b1927282.html