Burnham Outlines Vision for Public Control and Economic Growth in Maiden Commons Address
Prime Minister pledges attendance at Cop31 climate summit and details prisoner early release scheme exclusions.
Callum Smith
Andy Burnham addressed the House of Commons for the first time as Prime Minister today.
Prime Minister Burnham declared, "The Government I lead will be relentless, relentless in giving people and places what they were promised 10 years ago: ownership and control. And from that control over their destiny comes change and growth."
He emphasized "stronger public control" as central to the government's economic growth strategy.
Burnham pledged to attend the Cop31 climate summit in Turkey this November. He insisted he would not abandon net-zero policies.
He confirmed that rape, grooming, and serious child sex offenses will be excluded from the early release scheme for prisoners. Alex Norris, the justice secretary, is expected to issue a statement on changes to the prisoner early release scheme later this afternoon.
The government reportedly plans to increase prison capacity through the deportation of foreign national offenders and the implementation of indefinite sentences.
Burnham listed leaving the EU among "a series of wrong turns" the UK has made since the 1980s. He stated, "Unless we are blunt about what went wrong, we won’t turn things around. Far from taking back control, the combination of these policies took control out of the hands of communities up and down Britain."
Despite this assessment, Burnham affirmed adherence to Sir Keir Starmer's 'red lines' on Brexit. This precludes rejoining the EU, the single market, or the customs union.
He paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer, acknowledging he had "given this country a lifetime of public service" after Starmer announced his resignation as an MP following his ousting from Downing Street.
The Government I lead will be relentless, relentless in giving people and places what they were promised 10 years ago: ownership and control. And from that control over their destiny comes change and growth.
Labour will select its candidate to replace Starmer next Wednesday.
Burnham recommitted the UK's support for Ukraine. He praised predecessors for their leadership in confronting Vladimir Putin.
He hinted that electoral reform could be considered. He emphasized a shift away from 'point scoring' towards inter-party problem-solving.
Burnham indicated he would explore a local model of devolution in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Louise Haigh is reportedly exploring revisiting the Total Place pilots initiative.
The Prime Minister claims his experience leading Greater Manchester as its mayor has provided a clear theory of growth. He will apply this across the UK.
The government's three key priorities are understood to be cutting the costs of essentials, community regeneration, and greater public control of water, housing, and energy. Louise Haigh is reportedly leading taskforces on these initiatives.
Nigel Farage will take his seat as an MP after winning the Clacton by-election.
Burnham's statement lasted three-and-a-half hours. Ed Miliband, the foreign secretary, is set to take questions in the Commons at 2:30pm.