Simon Jenkins criticises Andy Burnham's first week as prime minister, arguing that despite professing localism, Burnham has made a series of centralised interventions. Jenkins notes that Burnham gatecrashed a Westminster rough-sleeping centre, capped local bus fares, cut pub business rates, promised social housing, and proposed a new national care service.
Centralised Interventions Contradict Localism
Jenkins states that no other European country would have central government running buses or care homes. He calls rough sleeping a local issue, pointing out that most rough sleepers need help from local officials and volunteers, not central bureaucrats. He warns that Burnham's policies, like eviction controls, could push landlords to sell properties, reducing cheap city-centre flats.
Housing and Care Service Plans Questioned
Jenkins compares Burnham's social housing promise to the failed Pathfinder scheme and calls the pub business rate cut trivial. He dismisses the new care service as incredible, arguing that the NHS shows personal care is not a national function. He advocates for locally owned and run care homes.
History of Empty Decentralisation Pledges
Jenkins notes that politicians often promise localism but centralise once in power, citing Tony Blair, David Cameron, and Keir Starmer. He says the UK is the most fiscally centralised country in the G7, while Nordic countries with local tax control have more equitable services. He predicts Burnham will leave major central projects like Hinkley Point and HS2 unquestioned.
