Liam Halligan, CPS Director, said:
‘Half a century ago, a Labour Chancellor named Healey had to go cap in hand to the IMF for a bailout to rescue our economy. We are dangerously close to history repeating itself.
‘Andy Burnham had the chance to speak to the country today, to tell the public the measures his government would take to get our economy moving once more. Instead, he spoke solely to the room, preaching to the converted and telling Labour activists simply what they wanted to hear.
‘An openness to reforming the triple lock may be welcome, but it remains to be seen how much his proposed changes would save.
‘His attacks on Margaret Thatcher and her legacy are as predictable as they are historically nonsensical. Her reforms and the reforms that followed gave Britain growth, ownership and most importantly, hope.
‘Burnham promised hope, but he cannot deliver.’
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Liam Halligan is Director of the Centre for Policy Studies
- The Centre for Policy Studies is one of the oldest and most influential think tanks in Westminster. With a focus on taxation, economic growth, housing, immigration, and energy abundance, its goal is to develop policies that widen enterprise, ownership and opportunity
Date Added: Tuesday 29th September 2026
