Andy Burnham outlines new Labour policies and reforms at conference
Labour leader Andy Burnham delivered his first conference speech, unveiling policy proposals on public ownership, pensions, and electoral reform.
At the Labour conference in Liverpool, leader Andy Burnham gave his inaugural speech as party head and prime minister, mixing a casual stage presence with substantive policy announcements. He vowed to restore public control over housing, water and energy, including legislation to repeal the ban on water nationalisation. Burnham said the state pension triple-lock would be honoured through one outlet Parliament, after which rises would follow inflation or 2.5% whichever is higher, generating savings for a National Care Service.
He also pledged a national commission to replace first-past-the-post with a more proportional system. The address featured an emotional homage to his father, who died of Alzheimer’s, and drew multiple standing ovations from the audience.
Why it matters
The speech sets Labour's policy direction, affecting public ownership, pensions and voting reforms in the UK.
How this story developed
- Sep 22 Poll shows Reform UK trailing Labour and Conservatives, facing possible hung parliament
- Sep 25 A new YouGov poll shows Reform UK level with the Conservatives and behind Labour.
- Sep 26 The Labour leader, speaking from his No10 North office in Manchester, recounted how his father Roy, who died aged 86 in a care home while battling Alzheimer’s, highlighted systemic failures. Burnham recalled similar hardships his grandmother faced 25 years ago and warned that neglecting social care will jeopardise the NHS. He pledged to make reform a priority despite political difficulty and will address the issue in his upcoming conference speech.
- Sep 27 Burnham added a vow to chart a new post‑Brexit path.
- Sep 27 Chancellor John Healey will announce a £115 million investment in a new research vessel and three floating docks, framing shipbuilding as the core of a “new age of industrialisation” at the Labour conference.
- Sep 28 A £100 million apprenticeship fund was added to the industrial plan.
- Sep 28 Burnham framed social‑care reform as a key election issue at the conference.
- Sep 29 A poll finds 53% of British adults favour keeping the pension triple lock, with higher support among Labour voters.
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