Can Burnham rise to the challenge?
On Monday, Andy Burnham, the UK's new Prime Minister, made his inaugural speech outside 10 Downing Street in London. He announced plans for radical changes to the economic and political system, with decentralising government, reducing the cost of living, boosting the economy and easing the burden on the social welfare system as key goals. The press reacts with hope and scepticism.
The prime minister the UK needs
Denis Macshane, a former Labour MP and a friend of Burnham's, writes in Libération:
“Burnham will have to reach out to the business community to forge a new alliance in favour of closer ties with Europe – perhaps following the Swiss or Norwegian models. Europe has been weakened since the UK broke away from the continent; greater political tact will be needed in its capitals to facilitate a cautious rapprochement between the UK and the rest of the continent. It will not be easy to govern a divided UK. ... Nevertheless, considering Burnham's many years of experience leading national ministries, as well as a major European industrial metropolis, he may well be just the prime minister the UK needs.”
Let London lead the way
The new British prime minister could become a beacon of hope for the entire continent, suggests Pravda:
“As one of Europe's major countries, Britain also sets the tone in other parts of the continent. France is in a state of perpetual crisis. President Macron's successive governments have not once been able to secure parliamentary support in the last four years. Germany has been in decline ever since Angela Merkel stepped down. ... It's no wonder that in all three countries, polls show that far-right, populist parties have the highest levels of support. Andy Burnham is set to usher in change.”
Plans for a radical redistribution of power
The new prime minister has ambitious plans, says Naftemporiki:
“He has emphasised decentralisation, strengthening the regions, reindustrialisation and an ambitious housing programme – the largest since the post-war period. In early 2024, he published the book 'Head North' together with Steve Rotheram, the mayor of the Liverpool metropolitan area. In it, they argue that the North of England has been disadvantaged because power is too heavily concentrated in London and the South. Based on their experiences as mayors of metropolitan areas, they propose a radical redistribution of power, shifting authority from London to the regions. … While we await the outcomes of his government (provided he does not call a snap election), Larry the cat appears to be the only constant in Downing Street.”
The federal vision has yet to prove itself
Le Temps wonders whether a decentralisation policy inspired by the German model can succeed:
“The most distinctive feature of Andy Burnham's plans lies in his aim to decentralise political power, as was particularly evident during Tony Blair's time in office: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are to be granted greater powers – all parts of the UK where the Labour Party is struggling. Moreover, he plans to conduct his government business in a decentralised way, split between 10 Downing Street and Manchester. It remains to be seen whether a model based on German federalism will take root in a country that is still strongly shaped by its history and traditions.”
A promise doomed to failure
The Independent is surprised by Burnham's announcement in his inaugural speech that he will end homelessness:
“Wow. Good luck with that. He said he would do that in Manchester when he took over as mayor and he didn't achieve it. Nor has anyone else, as Charles Dickens onwards testified – something this English graduate must well realise. ... It was an odd subject to prioritise. Not one that addresses everyone, not related to two current wars underway, economy, climate change and the other myriad issues waiting for him inside.”
Three major challenges
Columnist Bill Emmott describes the challenges Burnham faces in La Stampa:
“When Andy Burnham is confirmed as prime minister by King Charles at Buckingham Palace today, he will already know three things. ... He knows that, to outshine his lacklustre predecessor Sir Keir Starmer, he must communicate masterfully and give the impression of having a clear plan for government, even if he has yet to put it together. He knows that he must no longer court Donald Trump, as this has now become toxic in British politics. And finally, he knows that his main opponent, Nigel Farage, is ready to pounce on any attempt he might make – however minimal – to bring Britain closer to Europe, even though polls show that public opinion is now significantly more pro-European.”
Coddling won't get the job done
The Times is cautiously optimistic, but urges discipline:
“Mr Burnham must do better than his largely ineffective predecessor. The Labour Party has some reason to feel reassured ... Mr Burnham is an experienced, professional politician and assured public speaker. In that first speech as Labour leader he lavished his colleagues with the love, attention and sentimentalism they never got from Sir Keir. But he will need to lead Labour, not coddle it. That means hard decisions about the 800lb gorilla: spending. Mr Burnham does not like the party whip. But he will find himself having to crack it. Or fail.”
Budget-wise his hands are tied
Burnham has his work cut out for him, writes The Irish Times:
.“The challenges that brought down Keir Starmer remain: a budget unable to meet desperately needed demand in defence, housing, welfare, care for the aged, and training for the young. Burnham will be hamstrung by a commitment to abide by strict fiscal rules. His instinct may be to tack to the left, but he is already trying to prove that, like Starmer, whatever he told parliamentarians to secure the job, he will govern from the centre”
Make Britain attractive again
Burnham's plan to introduce a wealth tax is counterproductive, rails The Daily Telegraph:
“One thing is certain: a wealth tax will not work. ... Ms Reeves's economic wrecking ball has already sent an unprecedented number of wealth creators fleeing to other countries. With them have gone jobs, tax revenue and much of the nation's entrepreneurial dynamism. Rather than clobbering such people again, Mr Burnham should focus on making Britain a more attractive place in which to invest or grow a company. Instead, he looks hell-bent on dragging the country back to its darkest post-war decade in some bizarre quest to prove that this time, his party's failed ideas will finally come good.”
Stick to Starmer line on foreign policy
As far as international policy goes, Trud doesn't expect major changes from Andy Burnham:
“We can assume that he will largely continue to pursue the same line as Keir Starmer, particularly when it comes to supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia, the proactive stance on Nato and pragmatic relations with the EU. At the same time, observers in London expect it won't be long before Burnham and Donald Trump clash over US military bases on the island. The 'King of the North' is said to be determined that they be used for defensive purposes only, and never for attacks on another country, such as Iran. In Washington, for the time being at least, the view is very different.”