What is Andy Burnham’s economic and political blueprint for Britain?

Plans include greater regional power, public ownership of utilities and the end of trickle-down economics

Burnham sets out vision to transform Britain and fix ‘broken’ system

Andy Burnham’s speech at the People’s History Museum in Manchester was the first time we saw the man likely to be Britain’s next prime minister set out his vision for power.

He promised “good growth in every postcode” in a speech that focused on a significant transfer of power out of Whitehall to local communities and a new economic vision. But what might this mean in practice?

It will be about offering new opportunities to extend devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by taking power deeper down.

They require radical change if the country is to get back on track.

All parts of the UK should now be given the chance to develop … focusing on the things that most matter to them.

We will ensure all parts of the UK are able to take greater public control of essential services like water, housing, energy and transport …

Britain has lost almost 1.5m council homes since the 1980s and around the same number of people are now on housing waiting lists and have been there for a very long time.

Shouldn’t we make our high streets the symbols of Britain’s renaissance?

We will support every region to set clear and credible industrial ambitions – and provide the support to achieve them.

We need a complete rethink of how we support the next generation to succeed, and it has to start with the education system.

We will set out 10-year plans to bring down the cost of … essentials to individuals, families and businesses.

All of it backed by the stability that comes from sound public finances, as I said before, and the discipline of our current fiscal rules.

Continue reading...