Andy Burnham has promised to be a 'pro-business' Prime Minister who will reindustrialise Britain and champion the nation's small businesses. Addressing party members following his coronation as Labour leader on Friday, the former Manchester mayor launched an attack on 'four decades of neoliberalism' he argued had concentrated political power in Westminster while 'economic power was privatised'.
Burnham's vision for local control
Echoing themes from his initial speech upon returning to Westminster last month, Mr Burnham vowed to transfer greater control to local communities, arguing that 'political power was centralised and economic power was privatised' during the 1980s, as reported by City AM. 'We will take back power from Westminster and Whitehall and give it to the place where you live,' he declared to Labour members. 'Power to improve your high street, backing local businesses such as the pubs and the shops that bring them to life. And make no mistake, everybody, I will be a pro-business leader of the Labour party as I was a pro-business mayor of Greater Manchester.'
Uncontested leadership victory
Mr Burnham's comments followed his victory in an uncontested leadership race triggered by Keir Starmer's resignation. He successfully fended off Nigel Farage's Reform UK in last month's Makerfield by-election. During Friday's address, he promised to extend the pledge he made to 'restore hope' in the Greater Manchester seat across the entire country. 'This is... a plan to give people more power to bring back the hope that we have all been missing too much, and people are looking for us to deliver,' he said. 'And we will.'
Becoming Prime Minister on Monday
Mr Burnham's formal election as Labour leader means he is now officially in line to succeed Keir Starmer as Prime Minister on Monday, when the London MP tenders his resignation to the King. In doing so, he will become the UK's seventh Prime Minister within a decade. The newly elected Labour leader chose not to unveil any specific policies or announce cabinet appointments. Instead, he outlined a series of broad pledges to reverse the 'wrong turns the country has taken since the 1980s' and breathe new life into the nation's industrial heartlands.
Critique of deindustrialisation
'The country surrendered control of the essentials: housing, water, energy, transport, and left people exposed to higher costs,' he told members. 'That, in turn, led to the concentration of more wealth and power in the hands of fewer people and fewer places. Large parts of Britain were deindustrialised without the power to set new ambitions for themselves.'
Business rates reform and industry reaction
Mr Burnham has previously indicated he will push through a further shake-up of business rates upon taking office, which would impose higher levies on out-of-town warehouses to finance tax relief for high-street retailers and pubs. Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said the new Labour leader's address marked an opportunity for his sector to 'move beyond survival towards sustainable growth.' 'Our night time industries, from hospitality and nightlife to music, culture and entertainment, are central to Britain's social and cultural economy,' he said. 'They create jobs, drive investment and bring people together. They are the heartbeat of our high streets, towns and cities.'
