Prime Minister Andy Burnham's initial policy pronouncements have been met with criticism for their reliance on outdated economic ideologies, according to commentator Andrew Neil.
Burnham, upon entering office, presented his agenda with familiar rhetoric, including promises of a "circuit breaker," a "new political model," and "problem solving not point scoring." He also pledged an "uplift to every postcode in the land" and a "reindustrialisation of Britain," which Neil suggests is unfeasible given the UK's high industrial energy costs.
Two key announcements were a new ten-year plan to be released by autumn and an instruction to end rough sleeping nationwide. Neil notes that ten-year plans have been previously announced by figures like Keir Starmer and Boris Johnson without lasting success. He questions the democratic legitimacy of a new ten-year plan if it deviates from the 2024 Labour manifesto, suggesting it should be put to a general election. Burnham's track record on ending rough sleeping as Greater Manchester mayor is also cited as a point of concern.
Neil criticizes Burnham's apparent nostalgia for the 1980s and what he terms "neo-liberalism," viewing Thatcher's reforms as the catalyst for Britain's post-war resurgence. He argues that Blair and Brown successfully built upon these reforms, leading to prosperity until the 2008 financial crisis. In contrast, Neil characterizes Burnham's vision as a yearning for a past dominated by heavy, state-owned industry, powerful unions, high taxes, and extensive state intervention, reminiscent of the economically turbulent 1970s.
Instead of looking backward, Neil suggests Burnham should pivot to forward-looking policies. This includes reallocating funds intended for Net Zero initiatives to defense spending and supply chain resilience, essential for an increasingly volatile global landscape. He advocates for building a self-sufficient military-industrial supply chain, creating skilled jobs domestically, and increasing domestic oil and gas production from the North Sea to enhance energy security and generate tax revenue.
Neil also proposes abolishing green levies that inflate energy bills, allowing renewables to compete without subsidies, and supporting new gas-fired power stations and small nuclear reactors. He urges radical reform of planning laws to facilitate infrastructure investment, asserting national interest over opposition from local communities, environmental groups, and legal challenges.
Furthermore, Neil calls for a high-speed rail link connecting Leeds, Manchester, and Liverpool to create a large northern labor market and significant investment in the London-Oxford-Cambridge "golden triangle" for its concentration of universities and tech industries. He stresses the importance of investing in both the North and South for future success.
A critical challenge identified is the mismatch between the welfare system and labor market needs. Neil points to a significant number of working-age individuals not in employment, despite a shortage of skilled workers. He advocates for moving a million people from welfare into skilled jobs, expanding apprenticeships, and potentially repurposing underperforming universities to fund STEM education.
Neil concludes that such policies would prepare the country for the present and future, rather than attempting to recreate the past. However, he expresses doubt about Burnham's willingness to implement these bold measures, suggesting they fall outside his comfort zone.