The Andy Burnham Labour government

[ALB]

Now that Starmer has gone and Burnham has taken over we need a new thread to record the inevitable failure to make capitalism work in the interest of the workers and the anti-working class actions of the new government.

Here, to start with, is where he describes his policy as “business-friendly socialism “:

https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/news/mayor-sets-out-plan-to-reindustrialise-birthplace-of-industrial-revolution-with-five-global-clusters/

To avoid having the plough through this document till you get it, use a search engine for the word “socialism”. It only occurs once.

[paula.mcewan]

My Mum had a severe stroke. We had to put her in a care home because she needed around the clock nursing care. It cost 1300 per week – I kid you not. The place was staffed with low paid care workers. If Burnham can fix the care of the elderly he will give the working class hope. But I don’t think he will.

[ALB]

To be fair, we record two measures the Burnham government has taken — he says to put money into people’s pockets but actually not to take so much out of them — to help people a “little bit” (his own words): the £2 cap on bus fares and removing VAT on electricity bills.

This, to see if and how long they last. After all, a previous Labour government in 1964 abolished prescription charges when first elected only to have to re-impose them a couple of years later when faced with a balance of payments crisis.

[robbo203]

Burnham is already spelling out his priorities. Nothing is going to change under the (Anti) Labour government

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/22/increased-defence-spending-uk-economic-growth-wes-streeting-military-andy-burnham?shem=dsdf,sharefoc,agadiscoversdl,,sh/x/discover/m1/4

[robbo203]

Burnham is already spelling out his priorities. Nothing is going to change under the (Anti) Labour government

Streeting says Burnham government will prioritise military over other spending

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/22/increased-defence-spending-uk-economic-growth-wes-streeting-military-andy-burnham?shem=dsdf,sharefoc,agadiscoversdl,,sh/x/discover/m1/4

[Bijou Drains]

Same meat, different gravy, to quote Wally Preston

[ALB]

In the election on Thursday for the replacement of Burnham as Mayor of Greater Manchester the turnout was only 25 percent. In other words, 75 percent of those eligible to vote didn’t consider the outcome important or significance enough to bother to vote. Which suggests that even in Manchester ‘Manchesterism’ is seen as not being up to much. They are right — just a bigger trough for local politicians.

[Author]

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