Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Can Burnham Turn Labour’s ‘Hope Again’ Into Lasting Change?
Andy Burnham is trying to make people feel hopeful about the Labour government again.
He says the government should talk more about what it can do, rather than only explaining its problems.
He believes many people feel disconnected because too much power has been held in Westminster and by wealthy groups.
The government plans some early actions involving bus fares, energy bills and immigration.
These actions are meant to give people some help while bigger plans are developed.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is also changing the tone of Labour’s immigration policy to stress both control and compassion.
Burnham’s biggest ideas, such as changing social care and the country’s relationship with the European Union, would need voters’ support at a future election.
The main question is whether “hope again” represents real policy changes or mostly a new way of presenting Labour.
For now, the conference has mainly given Labour members more confidence.
Andy Burnham used Labour’s Liverpool conference to promote a message of renewed hope and confidence.
His approach contrasts with Keir Starmer’s emphasis on constraints and the difficulty of delivering rapid change.
Burnham links public disconnection to decades of centralized political and economic power, including the legacy of Thatcherism.
Early measures on bus fares, energy bills, immigration and safe routes are intended to provide immediate reassurance.
His larger plans, including social care reform, closer European Union ties and constitutional change, would require a new mandate.
- Who
- Andy Burnham, the Labour leader and prime minister, alongside the Labour government and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
- What
- Burnham presented “Hope again” as a programme to restore public confidence while outlining early measures and longer-term ambitions.
- When
- At Labour’s autumn conference, described as Burnham’s first conference as party leader and prime minister.
- Where
- Liverpool, England.
- Why
- Burnham wants to address public disconnection, rebuild optimism and show what the government can deliver.
More hopeful, progressive change
Caution, control and continuity
Style versus substance
More hopeful, progressive change
Burnham’s more optimistic language can give Labour a renewed sense of confidence and focus attention on what the government can do.
Caution, control and continuity
The conference may represent mainly a change in presentation, while the government remains constrained by its manifesto and tight finances.
Immigration policy
More hopeful, progressive change
A balance of control and compassion, including safe routes and community sponsorship, could support refugee protection and address racism.
Caution, control and continuity
The government argues that visible control is needed to maintain public permission for immigration, while settlement reforms emphasize migrants earning the right to stay.
Scale of reform
More hopeful, progressive change
Burnham’s longer-term goals include stronger public control over essentials, social care reform, closer European Union ties and constitutional change.
Caution, control and continuity
The article says these ambitions would require a new mandate, meaning they cannot necessarily be delivered during the current parliamentary term.
- Conference theme
- “Hope again”
- Immediate priorities
- Measures on bus fares, energy bills and immigration
- Safe routes
- The government plans new safe routes, particularly for Afghan women
- Community sponsorship
- A new community sponsorship scheme will initially involve hundreds rather than thousands of people
- Long-term ambitions
- A new social care system, a deeper relationship with the European Union and constitutional change
- Election position
- Burnham has said he has no plans for a snap election
- Fiscal constraint
- Chancellor John Healey faces a tight budget, according to the article