How long do you give Andy Burnham as PM?

[AndyBurnham2L]

Build ‘em up.
Knock ‘em down.

Short honeymoon and then the grumbling will start. It will all be over for him by Christmas.

So, who’s next?

Indeed

Happy to have the debate it’s the constant crying out for change, the SM pressure to do it in a week or you’re a failure, why hasn’t AB sorted the country out in 20 minutes. This is very destabilising. Some posters demanding immediate, impressive success NOW. Russian bots encouraging us to act like toddlers.

I haven't read posts quite like you have described. I thought it was more destabilising when Truss was the PM. It was a lot better when someone else took over. So it isn't the always the worst thing when a PM comes under scrutiny in a short time.

I think we owe it to ourselves to scrutinise what the current PM is saying. Some of it doen't add up, or appeal to me. I am not happy with the bus cap taking from the Starmer commitment to green energy projects in poorer countries, for instance. A good example of Starmer not appealing to Reform voters, also.

The only way he’ll get the Labour backbenches to agree to welfare reform is to do even less than Starmer attempted, which was pitifully little.

Burnham’s plan is completely different to Starmer’s. It focuses on getting young people into work, not cutting disability benefits. It’s positive. It’s not a question of degree, it’s about where the reduction is made.

Burnham doesn’t have a proper plan. He’s some vague ideas. That’s it.

Odd that I seem to understand his plan if it doesn’t exist.

I thought he said he would present his 10 year plan later in the year?

Better than lying about an oven ready plan.

Indeed. He has, however, outlined his approach to getting young people off benefits and into work. It’s had wide coverage and is explained in his book, Look North.

I think you will find the world according to Andy burnham maybe different now he’s in power.

It means that he has thought about and it is more than a vague idea as you put it.

You know the plan! Do share! Where we can we all read it?

Yes, do tell!

The IFS has commented on Burnham's plans to reform vocational education, maybe the two of you can find it as well?

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-invests-in-young-people-with-more-opportunities-close-to-home

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jul/28/young-people-new-work-support-mcfadden-benefits

https://ifs.org.uk/articles/government-announcement-technical-pathways-age-14-ifs-response

And that explains and excuses more recent failings, does it?

I prefer to live in the present.

Some of it does certainly, unless you pretend Brexit and Covid didn't cost the UK.

“You have to know the past to understand the present.”

― Carl Sagan

That it?

His whole master plan for the next 10 years?

And it is the same plan that Theresa May came up with for new T levels tens ago just starting at TCSEs. Maybe tomorrow's care proposal is to recycle May's dementia tax plans.

Given he relauched the Tory £2 bus fares.

At least we know he is pro recycling.

I suppose May didn't need to include NI relief at the same time but she didn't need to wrap up a U Turn on NI increases as a reform.

Three years. There won't be an early general election.

No, it’s his immediate plan for youth unemployment and benefits. You know, the one that doesn’t exist.

Free Apprentice training?

Free? So who’s paying for it? There’s always someone paying for the free stuff.

Thanks for providing the link to the gov.uk article. I see that the money was set aside in May. So is Burnham's plan taking money that was for a different project?