Andy Burnham says he’ll finally tell us his plans ‘later this year’ – why not now?_c
The new Prime Minister still isn’t setting out his detailed plan for government
Andy Burnham enters Downing Street as Britain’s new Prime Minister (Image: Getty)
If you are wondering what Andy Burnham actually plans to do, you’ll just have to keep waiting. There were a few hints in his Downing Street speech, and it sounds like he will announce practical, concrete measures to help with the cost of living this week.
But as far as a detailed programme for government goes, the new Prime Minister had this to say: “Later this year, I will bring forward a new plan for Britain, a 10-year plan, laying out a path from where we are now to where I believe we all want Britain to be, wherever we’re coming from, whatever party we support.”
There were a few other things, including a vow to end rough sleeping. And some details of this have been published. But we still don’t have a manifesto with real detail. He spoke about building more council houses and helping unemployed young people, but what exactly will be done to get a million youngsters not in education, employment or training (so-called NEETs) into work? How will he build all those council homes when Keir Starmer‘s government couldn’t?
It may well be that Mr Burnham does have answers. After all, his ally Louise Haigh, a former Labour Cabinet minister, said he had been working on a programme for government for 12 months.
But usually, when a new Prime Minister enters No 10, they have published their plans.
That includes a party leader who wins a general election, because their party produces an election manifesto.
It also generally includes someone who becomes prime minister between elections by winning a party leadership contest. They usually have to explain their plans to party activists. But Andy Burnham did not face a leadership election, so he was spared this ordeal.
Watch in full: Andy Burnham delivers his first speech as PM
Of course, governments also tend to spring a few surprises on the public once they win power, and do things they never hinted at previously. But in Mr Burnham’s case, almost everything he does will be a surprise.
Even the things he likes to talk about, such as devolving power to the regions, are light on detail. Does he mean giving more powers to mayors? Which powers will they get? Will they be allowed to levy more taxes? Will they run rail services? We don’t know.
So the idea that plans will be published “later this year” doesn’t inspire confidence. The time has come, Andy. Tell us what you plan to do with our country.
