Andy Burnham's victory in the Makerfield byelection sets up a battle for Downing Street. Allies of the outgoing Greater Manchester mayor want him installed as prime minister quickly, while supporters of Keir Starmer urge the Labour leader to fight on.
What Will 'Change' Look Like Under Burnham?
If Burnham becomes prime minister, he will be expected to deliver on the 'change' he promised. Here are the key policies his government might pursue.
1. Public Ownership of Utilities
Burnham's allies propose a 10-year project to bring water and energy sectors under public control. This could start with Thames Water, where Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds opposed a £10bn rescue deal, pushing it closer to nationalisation. Other companies like South East Water may follow. Eventually, energy transmission firms including National Grid could be targeted, though this may take years and cost billions in compensation.
2. Cost of Living Support
Close associates want Burnham to focus on easing living costs through state intervention, such as a temporary rent freeze and shifting energy levies to general taxation. This could require tax increases, but Burnham has pledged not to raise income tax, national insurance, or VAT. He even proposed cutting employers' national insurance and reducing business rates for pubs. Options like raising capital gains tax, as advocated by Wes Streeting, remain.
3. Devolution
Burnham's victory speech emphasised shifting power from Westminster to the north. Starmer's government already plans to give mayors a share of business rates revenue, but Burnham's allies want to go further, potentially placing schools and hospitals under mayoral control.
4. Less Control of MPs
Burnham has discussed scrapping the whipping system to allow more free votes. This could cause chaos, so he may instead reduce three-line whips and allow more conscience votes. Another change could be reducing briefing notes for MPs, letting them speak more freely.
5. Voting Reform
Burnham opposes first-past-the-post, arguing it centralises power in London. Since becoming Greater Manchester mayor, he supports a transferable vote system. He proposes a national commission on electoral reform to recommend changes for the next Labour manifesto.
