Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his first Commons speech to call for the UK to be 'brutally honest' about past 'wrong turns', while signalling higher defence spending and a pragmatic approach to energy.
Key facts
- Burnham made his first Commons appearance around six weeks after becoming prime minister.
- He blamed Brexit and Margaret Thatcher for a decade of low growth in the UK.
- He hinted at committing 3% of GDP to defence by 2030.
- He said he would attend the Cop31 climate summit in Turkey.
- He opened the door to electoral reform in Labour's next manifesto.
Andy Burnham told MPs that Britain needed to be “brutally honest” about a “series of wrong turns” taken over the last 40 years, blaming Brexit and Margaret Thatcher for a decade of low growth, according to the Guardian. The remarks came in his first Commons appearance since taking over as prime minister around six weeks ago.
Burnham said he wanted to build a new sense of optimism so “we can make this next decade better than the last”. The speech set out a broad agenda framed around renewal and what he called substantial change.
On defence, Burnham hinted that he would commit to spending 3% of GDP by 2030. He said he had appointed John Healey as his chancellor “precisely because” of his position on military spending.
The prime minister also opened the door to looking again at electoral reform in Labour’s next manifesto. “I do believe there needs to be a mandate to make that change,” he said. “There are different views in this house, but I believe we will need to get a consensus at the next election. And if there is that consensus, then a change can be made in the next parliament.”
On climate and energy, Burnham announced he would attend the Cop31 climate summit in Turkey and continue pursuing green energy, but said he would be “pragmatic” on supply, amid expectations he will approve the Jackdaw gas field. “The mistake is saying it’s got to be one or the other for political purposes,” he said. “The truth is, it’s going to have to be both.”
Taken together, the speech offered an outline of Burnham’s priorities across the economy, defence, electoral reform and energy as he sets the tone for his premiership.
Why it matters
A prime minister's first Commons speech signals the direction of the new government. Burnham's comments on defence spending, electoral reform and energy point to potential shifts in national policy that could affect budgets, elections and climate commitments.
Frequently asked questions
What did Burnham blame for the UK's low growth?
According to the Guardian, Burnham blamed Brexit and Margaret Thatcher for a decade of low growth, arguing Britain needed to be brutally honest about a 'series of wrong turns' taken over the last 40 years.
What did Burnham say about defence spending?
He hinted he would commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, and said he appointed John Healey as chancellor 'precisely because' of his position on military spending.
What is Burnham's position on energy and climate?
He said he would attend the Cop31 summit in Turkey and continue pursuing green energy, but would be 'pragmatic' on supply, amid expectations he will approve the Jackdaw gas field.