Former Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham has become Prime Minister of the UK and the Labour Party and Government is looking for changes that will alter the direction of both the country and the party. Already big names from the Starmer Government are out including Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, Steve Reed and Liz Kendal indicating a clear change of direction. Burnham has already made it clear that his objective is to make politics work better with a new political model and a new economic model. His finger is clearly pointing at the deindustrialisation policies of the Thatcher Government, the disastrous privatisation programme and the failure of subsequent governments to do enough to tackle the consequences. Burnham has pledged action on the cost-of-living crisis, the reduction of energy costs, improvement of social care, removal of private control from our key utilities and a return of major council house building programmes.
More Power to Local Government
Speaking on BBC Radio Somerset today the Leader of Labour run Bridgwater Town Council Cllr Brian Smedley said “I absolutely welcome Andy Burnham to this role. This is someone who has made his name in Local Government and completely understands what local communities need. Local Government reform in Somerset has been a disaster with the new Unitary council tasked with trying to run a broken system, already run into the ground by previous Conservative Governments and councils. They simply haven’t had an adequate share of the tax revenue. In Germany, where they have a federal system, the taxes raised by local government amount to 30% whereas in the UK it’s just 6%. No wonder local government is struggling to make budgets meet. On top of this Burnham is going to change the way we engage with politics by bringing in voting reform and genuine devolution to every postcode and away from the dominance of Westminster. The important thing here is this is someone who has turned the tables on Reform UK and their false promises. And he’s done that by being a good communicator and putting out a clear traditional Labour message of working class unity.”
Practical Change for Local People
Cllr Leigh Redman leader of the Labour Group on Somerset Council said “Andy Burnham’s appointment offers a fresh start built on trust, delivery and genuine connection with communities. Somerset Council Labour group and I look forward to working with him to strengthen devolution and ensure national policy reflects the realities of rural areas. This is a moment to bring practical change for local people.”
Redistribute Power
Cllr Tim Mander, Chair of Bridgwater Constituency Labour Party added “I am excited at the prospect of a Burnham led Labour Government with a move away from factionalism where all opinions within the party are welcome. The immediate move to end rough sleeping is to be applauded as is the move to redistribute power to the regions away from Westminster and Whitehall. Other proposals I welcome is the provision of more Council houses and taking back control of key utilities including rail and water. Time now to get moving and return to core labour values.”
Ending Rough Sleeping
Cllr Kate Pearce (Highbridge Labour) said “As a first policy statement, ending rough sleeping is a brilliant move. There is no reason that anyone should need to sleep rough in our country, except our politicians not grasping the nettle. This announcement shows that our new prime minister sees problems in our society and wants to fix them, or perhaps just ease the difficulties that people face. We need to tackle rough sleeping with sensitivity, and respect. We cannot coerce people to move indoors, but we have the resources to improve the lives of those who do sleep rough. We are starting to see a more people centred politics. Politics that really offers hope for all of us. Being PM is not as easy as a single announcement, but this a good start”.
Now the Work Begins
Cllr Irena Hubble (Bridgwater Labour’s Political Education officer and Bridgwater Town Council’s Culture Spokeswoman) commenting on Burnham’s speech added “It was forthright, it came from the heart and he sounded like a statesman. Andy Burnham’s first speech outside 10 Downing St. was impressive. By not reading from a prepared script and not using the lectern it felt very real and engaged. This country needs change desperately and there will be decisions which will not please everyone, however the fundamentals are there- building council houses, eradicating homelessness, giving our children a decent education, support for the cost of living crisis. Now the work begins, and we should stand behind the politics of hope not hate.”
Let’s hope it works. Sounds promising.
Great coverage here.