Readers respond to Andy Burnham's Labour party conference speech, touching on parental influence, public investment, capital gains tax, his English literature degree, and the oxygen of publicity.
Parental influence and the future of work
Keith Flett of Tottenham, London, notes that Keir Starmer often reminded voters his father was a toolmaker, a skilled occupation. In his conference speech, Andy Burnham referenced his parents, Eileen and his late father Roy. Flett points out that Burnham did not mention that Roy was a telecoms engineer, also a skilled job and one that was and is fully unionised, with decent terms and conditions. Perhaps, Flett suggests, the mayor of Greater Manchester sees in that not just the past but also the future of work.
Public investment and capital gains tax
Austen Lynch of Garstang, Lancashire, argues that Burnham's belief that investment in public spending will save money in the longer term is a positive-sum calculus targeted at improving the quality of life. If private capital can generate profit from privatised utilities and services, then by the same token public spending can direct funding to benefit the common good.
Maurice Henry Collier of Solihull, West Midlands, writes that now Burnham has grasped the nettle of the pension triple lock, perhaps he will have the courage to wade into the nettlebed to end the exemption from capital gains tax of the enormous gains from the sale of private residences.
A degree of success and the oxygen of publicity
Glyn Turton of Baildon, West Yorkshire, describes Burnham's speech as a masterclass in political oratory. Turton notes that Burnham has a degree in English literature and wonders if the two things are related, suggesting young people should be told.
Jude Carr of London thanks Burnham for a wonderful speech, enjoying that he denied attention-hungry politicians the oxygen of publicity they seek.
