Andy Burnham

"Deregulation of buses was a disastrous structural policy that destroyed public interest and cut people off, and regaining public control unlocks huge benefits."

"Burnham proposes overseeing the biggest council housebuilding programme since the postwar period, giving councils control of residential development sites, masterplanning, amenities, transport and home construction."

"Burnham proposes creating a 'No 10 North' in Manchester as the 'nerve centre of a rewired Britain' to oversee devolution of power and resources."

"Burnham calls it 'madness' that Starmer left a £4.7bn unfunded defence commitment for his successor to plug."

"Burnham attributes recent wildfires and transport disruption to worsening climate change and calls for serious carbon-cutting action and international cooperation."

"Burnham argues that state ownership of public utilities forms part of the solution to Britain's economic woes, drawing inspiration from Clement Attlee's postwar nationalisation programme."

"Devolving power from Whitehall to all parts of the UK would deliver the 'biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen' and raise economic growth."

"Burnham pledged a 'No 10 North' Downing Street team to redistribute power across the UK, drive good growth in every postcode, deliver the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period, and rethink education and welfare."

"Burnham argues that essentials like water, energy, transport, and housing should be run primarily for the public interest rather than private interests, calling for greater public control."

"Proposed reducing the VAT rate for hospitality businesses from 20% to 10% to align the UK with European rates."

"Thames Water should be nationalised and public ownership of water companies is a viable option."

"Labour's policy regarding small businesses is incorrect, advocating instead for business rate cuts for pubs and small enterprises."

"Andy Burnham asserts that he would implement a radical and urgent overhaul of England's social care system if he were Prime Minister."

"Argues that youth employment depends on making employers 'willing to take the risk,' citing low margins in hospitality and retail exacerbated by the cost of living."

"Accused Sir Tony Blair of underestimating the impact of inequality in his critique."

"Andy Burnham accuses Tony Blair of failing to acknowledge that life for Britons is much harder than it used to be, citing the cost of living crisis as the 'gaping hole' in Blair's argument about Labour's direction."

"Accused Tony Blair of underestimating the impact of inequality on the country."

"Argued that widening inequality over the past 40 years and the resulting unaffordability of basic needs are the primary drivers of current political instability."

"Accuses Tony Blair of underestimating the impact of inequality and failing to understand the lived reality of people's lives."

"UK net migration needs to fall further."

"People in Britain can no longer afford a good life because the country has been on the 'wrong path for 40 years'."

"Burnham claims that his 'Manchesterism' philosophy—a more interventionist approach to the economy—can replicate Manchester's success in reducing inner-city deprivation on a nationwide scale."

"Claims to protect households from rising costs via the 'Great British Summer Savings Scheme' and free bus travel for children in August."

"Andy Burnham claims politicians placed Britain in financial hock by losing control of finances and public spending."

"Characterizes Andy Burnham as promoting 'open borders'."

"Committed to adhering to the government's existing fiscal rules and borrowing limits to maintain market stability."

"We need a concrete plan to reindustrialise the birthplace of the industrial revolution. This is about growth which recycles wealth back into our communities, not syphoning it out — that creates pathways for our young people and offers good, secure jobs for our residents. Greater Manchester will be the testbed for a new model of economic growth that the whole country can follow."