Andy Burnham opens this year's Labour conference as party leader, a striking turnaround from last year when his criticism of Sir Keir Starmer's government appeared to have backfired. The 2025 conference saw Burnham retreating amid criticism from across the party, with many believing he had misjudged the mood and inadvertently strengthened Starmer's position.
Few predicted he would be sitting in the leader's seat on the stage at the Liverpool Experience Campus this year. His soft coup eventually succeeded, and now he enjoys a conference in the city of his formative years, filled with positivity over his work improving Labour's fortunes. A broad grin is fixed to his face at every appearance.
A Slogan That Rebukes the Past
The conference slogan, 'hope again', is plastered on every surface. It is widely read as a rebuke of the 'difficult choices' rhetoric under Starmer, while Burnham focuses on the prize of a better country if his plans succeed.
In an interview with Laura Kuenssberg, Burnham outlined radical plans for an NHS-style system for social care in England. He believes that by the next general election, his government will have developed a workable plan and sold it to the public, making it a central part of Labour's manifesto. More details are expected in his first conference speech as party leader on Tuesday.
Political Opposition Emerges
Political realities quickly surfaced, with shadow home secretary Chris Philp hinting the Tories would not support the nascent plans. Reform's Robert Jenrick revived 'death tax' and 'dementia tax' jibes previously used against similar efforts.
The 'hope again' slogan also carries a subtle warning. Party members in Liverpool will be hoping Burnham can deliver on his many pledges, including social care, ending rough sleeping, building council houses, radical devolution, and meeting defence spending targets.
High Stakes for the New Leader
The 'Burnham bounce' in Labour's poll ratings since July stems from this change in style and the long list of priorities set out by the new PM. Attendees worry about public faith in the party if these bold plans fail.
Today, nobody recalls Burnham's humiliating failure to weaken Starmer last year. But if he blows the opportunity he now has, the story will be very different.
