British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to steer the UK towards a path of fairer growth in his first speech as Labour leader at the party conference in Liverpool.
On Tuesday, Burnham highlighted urgent reforms needed in areas like healthcare, housing, pensions, and public utilities. He stated, “Britain has been on the wrong path for a long time,” asserting his determination to enact changes that previous leaders may have shied away from.
Burnham, who took over as Prime Minister from Keir Starmer in July, described a feeling among the public that the government acts against their interests. “More of the same isn’t good enough,” he said, emphasising the need for a new approach.
During the conference, which gathered MPs, party members, trade unions, and businesses, Burnham called for significant social reforms. He proposed a “National Care Service,” accessible at no cost, prioritising people over profit and ensuring fair pay for care workers. He also expected adjustments to the pension system to be introduced by April 2030, ensuring low-income pensioners won’t pay income tax during this Parliament.
Burnham pledged to make housing affordable for young people by reducing home deposit requirements and proposed re-establishing public ownership of water and electricity utilities. His announcement included plans for a new publicly-owned “Great British Grid” to increase competition and reduce energy costs.
On foreign policy, Burnham committed to confronting threats from Russia and Iran, stating, “I will be steadfast in my support for Ukraine.” He also backed a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, following the lead of his Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband.
Observers noted Burnham’s speech featured passionate rhetoric. Al Jazeera’s Milena Veselinovic remarked on the financial challenges facing the UK, with inflation rising to 3.1% in August. She commented that Burnham understands the political risks of his ambitious plans, while Danny Sriskandarajah from the New Economics Foundation described Burnham as both authentic and hopeful in addressing the nation’s difficulties. However, he highlighted that delivering on these promises will require substantial funding.
