Andy Burnham, the likely next Prime Minister, is reportedly bereft of policy ideas except for one: increasing taxes. Esther McVey, writing in the Express, warns that a Burnham premiership would bring a raft of new levies including a mansion tax, higher capital gains taxes, and an 'exit tax' on entrepreneurs and investors leaving the country. McVey dubs him 'Burnham the Bandit' for his apparent focus on taking more money from the public.
Burnham's tax plans
According to McVey, Burnham wanted Keir Starmer to stay on as PM for another three months so he could decide what to do when he takes over. She argues this shows he merely wants the status of the job. With few policy ideas, his main proposal seems to be increasing taxes, including a wealth tax, mansion tax, higher capital gains, and an exit tax. McVey warns that these measures would hit homeowners, investors, and entrepreneurs hard.
Rape gang inquiry: three local inquiries announced
The government has announced three local inquiries into rape gangs in London, Oldham, and Bradford & Keighley. McVey, who worked on a previous inquiry with Rupert Lowe, says the scale of the issue is huge – 250,000 girls in at least 146 areas from Aberdeen to Plymouth have been damaged. She doubts three local inquiries will be sufficient, calling them a 'quietening' measure.
Benefits for young people
McVey highlights that the number of 16-year-olds on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has trebled in five years. The government's new policy allows young people on benefits to start driving at 16 and, if on PIP, to receive 40 hours of free driving lessons worth around £2,000. She questions the incentive to work when benefits offer such perks, accusing Labour of becoming the 'party of the benefits class'.
Sara Cox lands Radio 2 slot
McVey congratulates Sara Cox on landing the Terry Wogan morning slot on Radio 2. Cox, a mother of three, is described as witty, bright, and up for a challenge, having remained at the top of her game for 30 years.
SNP's prison sentencing plan
McVey criticises the SNP government in Scotland for proposing to ban all prison sentences of less than five years. She argues this would leave violent thugs, paedophiles, and persistent burglars on the streets. If this law had been in place in 2023/24, only 594 out of 10,100 jailed criminals would have been sent to prison. She calls the anti-prison sentiment dangerous for law-abiding citizens.
