Labour’s four-day conference opened Sunday in Liverpool, where the party wants Prime Minister Andy Burnham to detail plans on welfare, social care and other pledges. A YouGov poll put Labour at 24%, two points ahead of Reform UK; Burnham is due to speak Tuesday.
Since becoming prime minister on July 20, Burnham has cut electricity bills, capped bus fares and reduced business rates for pubs, clubs and live-music venues. He has also set up a “No. 10 North” office in Manchester as part of a plan to devolve more powers to cities and regions. But he has said little about plans to end rough sleeping, reform welfare, fund a new social care service, reindustrialise Britain or raise defence spending.
Labour’s election manifesto commitments not to raise income tax, national insurance contributions or VAT limit fiscal flexibility ahead of the October 28 budget. The YouGov survey suggested Labour would lose its majority in an immediate election, though it would likely be able to lead a progressive coalition. Burnham said he would not call an early election before August 2029.
