In an essay published yesterday, Andy Burnham outlined his vision for government, promising a return to the policies of the 1970s. His central argument is that 'neoliberalism' has failed Britain and that more nationalisation, state intervention, and market regulation are needed.
Burnham's 'Business-Friendly Socialism'
The self-styled King of the North describes his philosophy as 'business-friendly socialism', an oxymoron according to critics, and insists that growth can only come through 'strong public control'. He presents this as a 'new script', but it is a very old one that was tested to destruction during the Wilson and Callaghan years.
The Legacy of the 1970s
That era saw Britain become the Sick Man of Europe, with truculent over-powerful unions, moribund nationalised industries, endless strikes, failed prices and incomes policies, and income tax rates of up to 83 per cent, rising to 98 per cent on 'unearned' income such as dividends. Inflation peaked at 27 per cent, the pound crashed, and Britain had to beg the IMF for a loan.
The nightmare culminated in the 1979 'winter of discontent', when the nation ground to a halt. Margaret Thatcher's free-market remedies were painful but essential, as the socialists had finally run out of other people's money.
Inequality and Economic Reality
To be fair, Mr Burnham says he wants to reduce inequality, and he could achieve that: his economic policies would make us all equally poor. Meanwhile, other news highlights the importance of law and order.
Manchester Airport Incident
The sight of an armed policeman kicking a tasered suspect in the head is troubling, especially when the officer is white and the suspect Asian. CCTV footage of PC Zachary Marsden kicking Mohammed Fahir Amaaz at Manchester airport led to accusations of police brutality and racism. However, extended footage showed Amaaz had earlier launched a frenzied attack on two female PCs, breaking one's nose. He was convicted of assaulting the women but acquitted of assault on PC Marsden after a hung jury.
PC Marsden remains under investigation for excessive force, but his reaction was instinctive, believing colleagues and public were in danger. The race-relations industry wants to pillory him, but we must protect those who risk their safety for us. Amaaz deserves the full force of the law, and his ethnicity is irrelevant.
Defence Commitments
After a Russian drone struck a building in Romania, Sir Keir Starmer said the UK stands with our Nato ally against Putin's aggression. His words would carry more weight if he committed to the UK's ten-year Defence Investment Plan, now a year overdue. Keeping the nation safe costs money; empty words will not do.
