- Andy Burnham has blamed Brexit and Thatcher-era policies for a decade of low growth in the UK, arguing that Britain needs to be brutally honest about having taken “a series of wrong turns” in the last 40 years.
- In his first Commons appearance since he took over as prime minister about six weeks ago, Burnham told MPs he wanted to build a new sense of optimism so “we can make this next decade better than the last.”
- Burnham stated that political power was centralised, economic power privatised, and the country de-industrialised, leading to a decade of low growth and stalled regeneration.
- Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Burnham of living in the past over his attacks on Thatcher, stating that he is still complaining about her policies from the 1980s.
Andy Burnham delivered his first Commons speech as Prime Minister, criticizing the past 40 years of British governance, particularly blaming Brexit and Thatcher's policies for a decade of low growth. He stated, “Political power was centralised, economic power privatised, the country de-industrialised.”13
Burnham called for a “brutally honest” look at the nation’s history, asserting that without acknowledging past mistakes, the country cannot move forward. He expressed a desire to foster a new sense of optimism, stating, “The British people wanted much more substantial change.”2
He emphasized the need for local communities to regain control, saying, “Far from taking back control, the combination of these policies took control out of the hands of communities up and down Britain for 40 years.”
In response, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Burnham for focusing on the past, stating, “He is living in the past and he wants to take us back to the 1970s.”4
Burnham concluded by acknowledging Keir Starmer for creating a platform for change, asserting, “We will use it well.”
“Burnham argued that political power was centralised, economic power privatised, and austerity hollowed out councils, with Brexit compounding the damage. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused him of 'living in the past' over his attacks on Thatcher, who left office in 1990.”
The Guardian
