Andy Burnham's unexpected by-election victory in Makerfield has sent shockwaves through Westminster, reigniting debates about his future ambitions and the radical policy agenda that could propel him to Downing Street. At its core, his vision for 'change' promises a seismic shift in Britain's economic and political landscape – one where public control is paramount, households are directly supported, and power is rebalanced away from the nation's capital.
A key plank of Mr Burnham’s proposed reforms centres on public ownership of crucial utilities. Insiders suggest a decade-long endeavour to bring significant parts of the water and energy sectors under state control. The process could start with Thames Water, currently facing financial peril, after Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds indicated opposition to a £10 billion rescue package. Other companies, like South East Water, which has faced criticism for service disruptions, might follow. Longer-term ambitions extend to energy transmission and supply firms, including potentially National Grid, requiring substantial time and compensation costs for investors.
Mr Burnham's allies also stress the need to tackle the cost of living crisis head-on. Proposals include significant state intervention to alleviate household bills – a temporary rent freeze and shifting levies from energy bills to general taxation are among them. However, such measures would necessitate increased government spending, posing difficult choices for Labour given its existing pledges not to raise income tax, National Insurance, or VAT. Mr Burnham has even suggested considering cuts to employer National Insurance contributions and reducing business rates for pubs – a limited avenue for revenue generation – though raising capital gains tax, as advocated by former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, remains an option.
Devolution is at the heart of Mr Burnham's vision, with his recent comments highlighting a desire to empower regions 'overlooked by Westminster'. While the current Labour government explores measures like allocating business rates revenue to mayors, Mr Burnham’s associates advocate for more radical decentralisation. This could involve placing major public services – schools and hospitals – directly under regional mayors' control, fundamentally altering the governance structure of public services across the country.
Beyond economic and regional reforms, Mr Burnham has also signalled potential changes to Westminster's internal workings. He has spoken of reforming the 'whipping' system, which traditionally ensures MPs vote along party lines. While a complete abolition of whipping might lead to governmental instability, a more likely outcome could be adjustments that permit more 'votes of conscience' and fewer 'three-line whips'. Furthermore, he has advocated for reducing the volume of detailed briefing notes provided to MPs, seeking to increase transparency and individuality in their decision-making processes.