Andy Burnham has enjoyed the easiest of journeys to high office, riding the tidal wave of chaos created by his predecessor to arrive unchallenged at Number 10. He has purposefully ducked tough questions, any questions actually, to assume a role he thinks is rightfully his. His in-tray might be overflowing but the Labour backbenchers who carried him aloft into Downing Street are chomping at the bit to see the Messiah without a Mandate take Britain further leftwards.
Reality Check for the New PM
Few would disagree that time was up for hapless Sir Keir Starmer, but after yesterday's coronation Mr Burnham needs a reality check. Britain is not only penniless, it is desperately short on optimism. It is why our new prime minister needs to get his - and the country’s - priorities straight and fast.
We know nothing about where he stands on defence. But it cannot be right Britain blows £333bn a year on welfare yet just £66bn a year on its hollowed out armed forces at a time of such global insecurity. He has said he will have to “ask for a little more” from taxpayers, but after being rinsed to the tune of £66bn by Rachel Reeves in two budgets, how much more can they possibly withstand?
Economic and Social Challenges
Unemployment stands at 4.9% with 1.76m people out of work. For the young that figure stands at 16.2%. And what about the millions of pensioners betrayed by Sir Keir Starmer and his Chancellor through their spiteful winter fuel cash grab? Does Mr Burnham also see them as a demographic to be abandoned rather than embraced?
Our borders remain porous as illegal immigration continues apace, but we know precisely zero about how he intends to tackle the deepening crisis. Likewise, how he intends to breathe life into an economy that is on life support and a high street cowering in fear at what the future holds.
A Call for Fiscal Responsibility
Britain has always been resilient, resourceful, and hopeful. Those qualities were in short supply during Sir Keir’s two years in charge. We wish Mr Burnham the best of luck but urge him to open his eyes and see the bigger picture, not just what his union paymasters and backbenchers demand.
This country cannot withstand anymore of the reckless tax, spend, and borrow approach that has been Labour’s historical default position, especially when it is drowning under the weight of the highest sustained level of taxation since the Second World War. Every decision that is taken from here on in needs to be properly costed and fully funded.
Urgent Need for Spending Cuts
Given the perilous state of the public finances it should be blindingly obvious that spending cuts rather than spending sprees are urgent and necessary. And the first place to start would be to slash Britain’s astronomical benefits bill. The truth is we know very little about where our latest prime minister stands.
What we do know is the British public has been asked to take a blind leap of faith and it deserves to be repaid for doing so. As Mr Burnham gets his feet under the table we can assure him the Express will watch his every move to make sure the issues our readers care passionately about are properly addressed. And if not, we will hold them to the fire.
