Burnham Outlines Policy Shifts in First Conference Speech
Andy Burnham delivered his first conference speech as prime minister to the Labour party on Monday, presenting a dense policy agenda that lasted over an hour. The address covered significant changes to pension rules, electoral reform, and the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union.
Burnham argued that the current political system requires adjustment, stating that continuing with the first-past-the-post electoral system would open the door to a "divisive government" supported by less than 30% of the vote. To address this, he announced the creation of a national commission tasked with reporting on voting options for inclusion in Labour’s next manifesto.
Officials clarified that Burnham maintains the link between MPs and their constituencies is vital and does not support a purely proportional system. The prime minister indicated that the commission would explore alternatives within this framework.
Pension Reforms and Care Service Funding
A central component of the speech was the announcement that the government would end the pensions triple lock from 2030. Under the new rules, state pensions will rise by the highest of inflation or 2.5%, rather than being tied to earnings growth.
Burnham introduced a backstop guarantee ensuring that pensions reach at least 30% of average earnings in years where earnings growth is higher than inflation. Government officials estimate this policy change could save £15bn a year by 2040.
The prime minister repeated his promise to create a national care service, suggesting that the system would be funded in part by the savings generated from the changes to the triple lock. He noted that Labour may propose a tax rise to fully pay for the new care system.
Critique of Brexit and EU Relations
Burnham delivered a sharp critique of the UK’s departure from the European Union, stating that "Brexit has done more harm than good." He cited depressed economic growth and a lack of promised control over immigration as evidence of this assessment.
The prime minister said he would use an upcoming EU summit to lay out options for Britain’s long-term relationship with European partners. Aides indicated that Burnham hopes to build political consensus on EU integration, although they acknowledged that the chances of Labour and Reform agreeing on such terms seem slim.
Leasehold Reforms and Water Industry Changes
Burnham also addressed housing and infrastructure policy, promising that a bill on leasehold reforms would come to parliament before Christmas. He announced new powers for councils to compulsorily purchase poor-quality rental properties if landlords fail to improve them.
While not part of the speech itself, Environment Secretary Angela Eagle is set to present a changed water bill to parliament. This legislation will feature the repeal of Margaret Thatcher’s ban on public ownership of water companies. Ministers are currently discussing changes to insolvency law to facilitate this shift in ownership structure.