Andy Burnham made his long awaited debut in the House of Commons this week, using his first address as prime minister to call for a fundamental shift in how Britain is governed and managed. Returning to Parliament after a decade away, Burnham argued that the country has suffered through a series of wrong turns since the 1980s, characterized by excessive centralization of political power and the privatization of key economic assets. He singled out the water industry as a particularly stark example of failure, describing it as a leaking monument to an era where private interests were prioritized over the public good.
Central to the prime minister’s vision is a commitment to broader devolution across England. Drawing on his experience as the mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham insisted that shifting power away from London is the most effective way to stimulate regional growth. While some lawmakers expressed concern that this could create a two tier system between cities with mayors and those without, Burnham clarified that his government would be flexible. He explicitly mentioned working with partners like Cornwall Council to ensure that devolved powers can be accessed regardless of whether an area has an elected mayor.
The proposed return to stronger public control over essential services did not sit well with the opposition. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch hit back at the prime minister, claiming his theories on growth were flawed and warning that his approach would lead to higher taxes and bloated government bureaucracy. She cautioned Burnham that managing an entire nation involves far more difficult trade offs than those he faced during his tenure in Manchester, suggesting that his diagnosis of the country’s problems was entirely incorrect.
Beyond governance structures, Burnham touched upon several pressing social and environmental issues during his extensive three hour statement. He outlined plans to lower the benefits bill by increasing the supply of council homes and pledged reform for leaseholders seeking commonhold ownership. On energy, he maintained a pragmatic stance regarding North Sea drilling licenses, stating he wants a transition to renewables that remains affordable. His appearance also served as a poignant moment for the party as he paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer following Starmer’s sudden decision to step down as an MP shortly before the session began.
