How Andy Burnham Restored Hope In Every (Labour) Heart

Optimism doesn’t come naturally to Labour.

Even though the party has crept back up the polls since Andy Burnham got into power, delegates at this year’s annual conference spent the first few days quietly mocking his official slogan of “hope again”.

MPs also seemed mysterious absent during the initial events, sparking speculation that some had cancelled their trips in protest at Keir Starmer’s premiership and were still too disillusioned to rebook under Burnham.

Most hardcore Starmer supporters either kept a very low profile at the Liverpool gathering or didn’t show up at all.

Obviously, the party faithful want to win back voters, see off the threat from Reform and the Greens, and govern successfully.

And no one can deny charismatic Burnham is better than Starmer at communicating with the public when it came to delivering a political message – a couple of straw polls at fringe events proved almost everyone thought it was a good idea to change leader.

Even former Starmer enthusiasts said the main goal was just to unite the party again and stop internal fractures from messing up Labour’s image.

But would the ex-Manchester mayor amount to anything more than just “good vibes”? 

“I’m slowly drinking the Kool-Aid,” one party insider told HuffPost UK. “But I’ve been burnt before.”

Another source pointed out that the party branding seemed less “corporate” and polished this year, more old-fashioned perhaps.

Was that a good thing? Did it show Burnham was more in touch with the public? They shrugged. “Looks a bit New Labour, to me.”

Others thought it was the “cult of Burnham”, with more of an emphasis on the PM than Labour.

A party official expressed their bewilderment that it had been a year since Burnham was forced to leave conference with his tail between his legs after his failed attempt to challenge Starmer’s leadership.

“Kind of inspirational, I suppose?” they added.

Ministers were careful to show their appreciation for a “second chance” at government under Burnham after Starmer’s ill-starred time in No.10 and promised change was coming – even if they didn’t have all the details yet.

It was all on Burnham to turn that cautious approach into actual confidence during his keynote speech on Tuesday.

It’s fair to say he delivered.

In a 70-minute address, Burnham paced the stage while announcing how he would unveil a new national care service, set up greater public control of water, energy and housing, introduce electoral reform and set up closer EU relations, news to whoops of delight from the crowds.

Even his plan to alter the triple lock for pensioners was seen as welcome proof he was happy to make the tough decisions.

The PM received at least five standing ovations and, to his own surprise, was also enthusiastically applauded for his plan to cut VAT from energy bills, a policy he announced weeks ago.

Unlike Starmer last year, he made no mention of Reform UK, which insiders said was a deliberate move to avoid giving Nigel Farage any “oxygen”.

Burnham only condemned the “British right” for “giving away control” with a flash of real anger – a truly passionate moment which is now making the rounds on left-wing social media.

But the real defining moment came after Burnham did what politicians often struggle to do: show vulnerability.

He paused for at least 10 seconds on stage in the middle of his speech before tearfully revealing how his father Roy, who died two weeks ago, had motivated him to build a better Britain.

He praised the UK his dad “represented”, a “country of solidarity, not separation”, adding: “Britain is not perfect. It can be better and we will make it so. But it still stands for something worth saving, worth fighting for.”

Every delegate leapt to their feet to cheer him. Cabinet ministers welled up. Foreign secretary Ed Miliband let the tears roll.

Party members said they felt that, finally, after years of robotics from Starmer, here was someone to believe in.

Gone were the cynical remarks about “hope again”. In their place was actual hope.

A senior party source told HuffPost UK it was the “speech of a generation” and even cynical journalists in the media room were somewhat impressed.

There was an undeniably jubilant attitude at the traditional Daily Mirror conference party, especially when the man of the moment turned up for a surprise meet-and-greet only to be immediately mobbed by fans.

But winning over the party is not the same as winning over the country, though, and team Burnham know it.

Even his most loyal supporters sidestepped questions about just how his ambitious policies will pan out and Downing Street officials were rather shaky on the details surrounding Burnham’s plans to “adjust” the triple lock.

Then there’s the confusion as to why the prime minister is even talking about such big plans, most of which he has pencilled in for the next parliament.

If Burnham means it when he publicly ruled out calling a snap general election, should he not be focused on the problems facing Britain right now?

There’s no doubt that plenty more obstacles await the prime minister, not least when it comes to actually trying to put his many promises into place.

But, for now it’s Burnham’s world and we’re just living in it.

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