Nigel Farage has accused Prime Minister Andy Burnham of engaging in 'uniparty' politics after Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats accepted invitations to a cross-party meeting on adult social care, while Reform UK was not invited.
Burnham said he would 'put everything I’ve got' into fixing the system, warning the NHS 'will collapse' without reform. He insisted the time for 'playing politics' is over, citing carers struggling, families paying the price and the NHS buckling under strain.
Cross-Party Meeting Details
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch wrote to Burnham challenging him to rule out tax rises or increased borrowing for social care reform. She cannot attend, so shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew will go. A party source criticised the short notice, suggesting it 'almost like it’s only being done for show.'
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey will join via Zoom from France. 'I’m hopeful this call may prove to be the first step towards fixing our broken care service,' he wrote on X.
Farage and Green Response
Farage said Reform UK 'led over 300 national opinion polls and represents thousands of councillors and millions of Britons' and accused Burnham of 'conspiring behind closed doors with the failed political establishment to foist further tax rises on the country.'
Green Party leader Zack Polanski called the invitation to talk 'positive' but wished to attend. He told BBC Newsnight: 'Adult social care is a ticking time bomb.'
Burnham's Pledge and History
Burnham has repeatedly vowed to expend 'whatever political capital I have' on reform, saying governments have kicked the issue down the road for decades. 'This is about bringing back hope that we can finally fix the difficult issues that have been ignored for too long,' he said.
The Government said there are 'no plans' for a so-called 'death tax' after reports Burnham might revive a 2010 proposal for a 10% levy on estates to fund a national care service. Burnham has cited his father's Alzheimer's as personal experience with the system.
