Andy Burnham has rocketed his way into Number 10, Downing Street, without much to say about the way things are. His predecessor anchored himself into world events, at least, and took us there in thought, word, and deed. As questions swirl over the true effectiveness of nearly two years in power, the incumbent at present has fewer reasons to give.
Starmer presented a Plan For Change that at least set the country on a firm course toward repair and rebuild programs. The shame is in not seeing much of the main parts of it achieved. The accomplishments of Burnham, however, may be even thinner on the ground. His Plan For Manchester threatens to be derailed by a lack of its relevance elsewhere.
The Manchester Budget has been announced for this October, and the stall it will set out will likely involve more appeals to calm than to reason. The promo video by the Chancellor has already hinted that people will have to expect miracles rather than results. The way things go for Labour, a lot of effort has to be put in to at least get the basics right.
The view is that Burnham has a lot on his mind but these are things the Labour party goes through endlessly in internal debates. The ideas that will slip out will have been laundered through every union and party branch before now. The politics of it is simply the well he can draw on while the going is tough. He should’ve come in with a lot more.