Whether you agree with it or not ; the Labour statement is consistent with Labour's internal logic that the best way to cut the deficit is by encouraging growth rather than shrinking the overall tax take. I don't think it contradicts previous statements on wanting to approach it in their way.
No your missing my point.
Labours (advertised) plan was to keep spending to encourage growth, this would have increased the deficit. Any deficit reduction plan was based upon future growth caused by this spending.
This is what the Tories have done, but they have advertised it as austerity.
They both have the same plan, they are a fag paper away from each other.
Yet labour attack the failure to reduce the deficit now, something they didn't plan to do.
As an opposition party, they are a dismal failure, they just opposed EVERYTHING the Tories do, doesn't matter if it's sensible or not, if they would do it or not, it's just "you are wrong wrong wrong".
How can they be taken seriously?
Not suggesting they are to be tajen seriously,just pointing out that it's not a new direction as your post says.