Andy Burnham has finally achieved his goal and will take over the premiership from Keir Starmer on Monday. In a speech today, Burnham outlined his vision for a revitalized party and announced that his cabinet would be named on Monday.
Let us state right away that we do not place much importance on his rhetoric. A defining trait of politicians is their ability to speak eloquently and set ambitious new goals—goals they invariably fail to reach. We do, however, have some advice for him.
Leaders who assume office often immediately begin to view themselves as god-like figures, attempting to justify every action they take. When Keir Starmer took office, he seemed to launch a “revolution” every week; in every speech, he would proclaim that the revolution was beginning, only to forget those words and launch into yet another speech about a new revolution.
Burnham should not fill his cabinet with people whose only experience is drawing a state salary and who are out of touch with the public. A cabinet is of no use to the country or its people if it consists of individuals like Starmer—people who have lived on a salary their whole lives and who, when passing a restaurant, see only the crowd inside rather than the overhead costs involved in running it. He needs people who understand the public and the business world, and who are truly aware of the realities facing enterprises.
Specifically, appointments—such as that of Chancellor Reeves—should not go to those who understand only donations rather than the public or the business sector; instead, they should go to those who grasp global realities and the actual situation within the country. We need people who realize that inflation cannot be brought down simply by slashing energy subsidies, cutting social welfare, and constantly raising prices.
A firm policy regarding immigration is particularly essential. We need an approach to governance that does not demonize immigrants, yet does not simply open the floodgates to new arrivals.
In short, we want a prime minister and a cabinet that deliver results rather than just making speeches. Starmer, too, arrived promising a great revolution—only to leave in defeat.