The UK’s new prime minister, Andy Burnham, laid out a radical agenda in his short speech upon taking office. He called for a long-term strategy to reverse 40 years of Thatcherism, and the privatisation and centralisation that resulted. Wisely, he put a ten-year horizon on these objectives and it is now up to his new chancellor, John Healey, to realise his ambitions.
Sensibly, Burnham has also announced less costly but limited measures to deal with the cost of living and the housing crisis – intended to convince the public that he understands their concerns. So far these include a pledge to cap single bus fares in England at £2, cut VAT on electricity bills from October, and end rough sleeping (with no time frame specified).
