Andy Burnham
Prime Minister, United Kingdom
Decisions from the two weeks to 13 October 2026
12 October 2026
Vows to renegotiate post-Brexit trade deal with EU
He will push for new post-Brexit deals at an EU summit and vowed to renegotiate the UK's post-Brexit trade deal with the EU. [1] [2]
Renegotiating EU trade terms could cut friction, but Burnham cites no data and the push serves his own political interest.
Instead: I would have commissioned impact assessments and negotiated sector by sector, not launched a personal renegotiation without evidence.
3 October 2026
Plans law to scrap pension triple lock before election
He plans to pass a law scrapping the pension triple lock before the next election. [1]
Scrapping the triple lock may be fiscally necessary, but Burnham cites no data, acts from self-interest, and optimises for one term.
Instead: I would have published cost projections and phased reform with protection for poorest pensioners, not abolished it before an election.
30 September 2026
To fight next election on pledge to change voting system
He will fight the next election on a pledge to change the voting system. [1]
Changing the voting system could improve representation, but Burnham cites no evidence, serves his own interest, and optimises for one term.
Instead: I would have built cross-party consensus and a citizens' assembly before making voting reform an election pledge.
8 October 2026
Government to press ahead with Oxford-Cambridge corridor
His government will press ahead with the Oxford-Cambridge corridor. [1]
The corridor could add housing and growth, but Burnham cites no data and commits to a costly, hard-to-reverse project.
Instead: I would have paused for environmental and cost evidence, then approved staged infrastructure with reversal points, not pressed ahead blindly.