Burnham includes rejoining EU among Britain’s options

In an analysis published on 29 September, BBC political editor Chris Mason described the speech as both a policy pitch and a personal moment for Burnham, who is grieving his father, Roy, with the funeral due within days. Mason divided the proposals broadly between measures Burnham hopes to pursue before a general election and ideas for Labour’s next election campaign. [1]

The proposed social care overhaul is for England. The state pension currently rises each year by whichever is highest: inflation, average earnings growth or 2.5%. Under the plan Mason described, the earnings link would be dropped from April 2030 if Labour wins the next election. Labour figures told him the pension would rise further if needed to keep it above 30% of the average full-time wage. Mason noted criticism from Unite and Labour’s political rivals over the prospect of ending the existing triple lock. [1]

Mason also reported that Burnham wants changes to the Westminster voting system in Labour’s next manifesto, alongside a proposal for closer EU ties following a review. The form of that relationship remains unspecified. Housing reform in England and greater public control of the water industry and electricity grid were among the other subjects raised. [1]

Mason questioned whether Burnham’s government could deliver the programme, pointing to the weak economy and turbulent international conditions as obstacles. [1]

Update

Speaking at Labour’s conference on 29 September, Andy Burnham said Brexit had done “more harm than good”. He said he would set out what he sees as the options for Britain’s long-term relationship with its European partners around a UK–EU summit later this year, then try to build consensus around one of them. [2]

The BBC’s newspaper roundup reported that the Financial Times suggested Labour’s three European “red lines” could be reconsidered at the next general election. It also reported the FT’s view that Burnham’s preferred outcome was unclear. [4]