As speculation swirls around Andy Burnham's ascension to Downing Street following Keir Starmer's resignation, the Labour Party's leadership hopeful has started to unveil his vision for Britain. Amidst the fog of uncertainty surrounding his policy platform, one thing is clear: Burnham's extensive political experience and past decisions offer a tantalising glimpse into what a Burnham premiership might mean in practice.
Burnham's pledge to establish a "No 10 North" in Manchester – a move aimed at redistributing power and fostering economic growth across the UK's regions – marks a significant departure from previous Labour stances on devolution. This initiative, first outlined in a speech earlier this week, reflects his long-standing commitment to regional equality and could be a defining aspect of his premiership.
In the complex realm of welfare reform, Burnham's past actions serve as a precedent. While he abstained from voting on the 2015 welfare reform bill due to collective responsibility, he has since expressed a willingness to reduce benefit spending – but with a crucial caveat: prioritising preventative measures over "crude cuts." This nuanced stance could signal a middle ground between fiscal prudence and social support, potentially breaking from previous Labour approaches.
Burnham's commitment to social care is another area where his historical positions offer valuable insights. As Secretary of State for Health in 2009, he proposed introducing a free-at-the-point-of-use care service in England – albeit one that would have been funded by abolishing inheritance tax and imposing a levy on estates. Although this plan was shelved at the time due to controversy, Burnham has reaffirmed his desire to implement significant tax changes to fund social care. He has also called for an expedited publication of the Casey review into adult social care, ideally before the end of 2023.
The implications of Burnham's stance on social care extend to the workforce needed to deliver it. As debates rage within the Home Office regarding migrant care worker visas, a key question arises about the composition of his future cabinet and its alignment with his social care ambitions. Any potential Home Secretary would need to reconcile their position on migration with the imperative to adequately staff a reformed social care system – highlighting a potential tension within a future Burnham government.