Burnham promises closer EU relationship and major Labour reforms

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised to seek a new long-term relationship with the European Union and announced a series of domestic reforms in his first Labour conference speech as prime minister. Burnham said Brexit had not delivered greater control and had harmed growth. He pledged to use an EU summit to set out options for a relationship that went beyond separate sectoral agreements, arguing that the bloc remained Britain’s largest market.

He also confirmed plans to end the pensions triple lock if Labour wins the next election. Under the proposed replacement, pensions would rise with inflation or by 2.5 per cent, rather than automatically tracking the highest of wage growth, inflation or 2.5 per cent. Burnham said savings would help fund a national care service free at the point of use.

The prime minister said the proposals were shaped by personal experiences of the care system and promised protection for pensioners from income tax. He said the care service would protect homes and savings while giving care workers greater recognition. Burnham announced that electoral reform would be included in Labour’s manifesto and that a national commission would assess possible systems.

He invited all political parties to participate. He also promised a leasehold reform bill, a water bill that would repeal restrictions on state-owned water companies, and new powers for mayors over water systems. A new GB Grid would use money previously allocated to Great British Energy to compete with private companies such as National Grid.

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh was tasked with accelerating efforts to separate energy prices from international gas prices. Burnham also said he hoped to develop a global artificial-intelligence code of conduct while Britain holds the G20 presidency next year. The proposals would still require parliamentary and political support.