Burnham's basic analysis is:
The country is facing systemic problems. In his opinion caused by:Deindustrialisation. Deregulation. Privatisation. Austerity. Brexit.
The councillors and MP's who are elected to run the country on behalf of its citizens do not have enough power and control to make a difference in some key areas:
- Economic control diminished by selling off essentials - water, energy, transport
- Political control corroded by the hollowing out of councils - diminishing government grants and restrictions on how much council tax they can raise has led to councils outsourcing services to the private sector which is not in control of voters.
- Immigration control weakened by Brexit - loss of the Dublin Agreement
He wants to fix:
- Housing - not enough council housing - problem of buying first home
- Water supply - water companies need tighter regulation
- Education/Youth Unemployment - need for much better preparation for a working life.
- Adult Care System - need for a National Care System
- Energy supply - move towards self-sufficiency in electricity generation
- Closer relationship with Europe - will explore options..."I will see if we can find consensus around one which will give us clarity about our position, and the future of the continent we live in."
- The political system - too centred on point scoring. There needs to be a shift towards consensus politics so that change of government does not affect agreed policies.
- Driving power out of Whitehall and into every postcode of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England and closing divides between people and places.
- Electoral reform - every vote to count - will be in Labour's next manifesto. Will seek cross-party agreement on a proportional voting system so number of seats in parliament is more in proportion to number of votes cast.
A 10 year project.
Later this year, we will publish our plan for Britain and set out how, over 10 years, we will make this country work for you again.
I will work as hard as I can to get as much cross-party support for our plan for Britain.
The next election will be fought under FPTP and is 3 years away. How can Burnham generate enough change to convince a sceptical electorate to give him another term?
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