Andy Burnham’s speech to the party conference was a rare exception to the usual format, proving emotionally engaging, laced with anger and coherent in its argument. Delivered in a colloquial style and without a lectern, it felt like a speech 15 years in the making, making it far more interesting and watchable than typical leader addresses. While audiences usually grow desperate for such speeches to end after 40 minutes, Burnham’s held attention for another half an hour.
Strong substance with bold ambitions
On substance, the speech was strong, though perhaps not quite as bold as Burnham maintains. His ambitions on social care follow the best traditions of “Go Big”, and Burnham has shown himself confident in his ability to shift public opinion on a big, difficult issue, such as getting rid of the triple lock. The approach was bold and inspiring, but whether it proves effective remains to be seen, with time available to trim or back down if the argument is not won.
Brave positions on PR and Europe
On proportional representation and Europe, Burnham staked out brave positions that will attract considerable opposition, not just from the country but from some within Labour. However, he was less specific on these issues than on social care and pensions. He implied PR would be in the Labour manifesto, but only said he would fight the election on a proposal “to change the electoral system so that everyone’s vote counts”, suggesting something less ambitious than PR, such as the alternative vote or PR for an elected Lords, might be the only option he thinks he can sell to the parliamentary party.
On Europe, Burnham implied he will open a conversation on rejoining, but was not explicit about that, instead talking about “consensus”, which sounded naive given that no subject in British life seems less open to consensus than Brexit. One colleague theorised that Burnham wrote the speech planning to end with a flourish saying rejoining would be an option, only to drop the wording at the last minute, noting a hiatus at the end where the speech had been building up to a big reveal.
Daring and potentially transformational
Still, the speech was daring, moving and potentially transformational. Burnham has had a good week, and today it got better.
