Key facts
- Andy Burnham is the first Labour and Co-operative MP to become prime minister.
- Burnham's administration is expected to prioritize mutual ownership, community businesses, and credit unions.
- Burnham has pledged to give mayors a share of income tax revenues.
- Burnham's government has implemented a 20 percent business rate cut for pubs, clubs, and live music venues.
Andy Burnham has made history by becoming the first Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament to assume the role of Prime Minister. This milestone is seen by supporters of the worker-focused Co-operative movement as an opportunity for a significant overhaul of Britain's governance and economy.
The Co-operative Party, distinct from the Labour Party but allied through a 1927 pact, emphasizes mutual ownership, community businesses, and credit unions, advocating for democratic control of services and businesses by their users. Burnham's premiership is expected to reflect these principles, with several other Labour and Co-operative MPs also holding key Cabinet positions.
Burnham has already signaled his administration's commitment to co-operative values. In his first major speech after winning the Makerfield by-election, he invoked the Rochdale Pioneers, who founded the modern cooperative movement in 1844 by pooling resources to establish a worker-owned store. He has also been vocal about redistributing power, a core co-operative tenet.
Early actions and pledges from Burnham's government include a 20 percent business rate cut for pubs, clubs, and live music venues, and a commitment to give mayors a share of income tax revenues. Supporters also anticipate potential moves towards mutualization of water companies, transferring ownership from shareholders to customers.
Burnham's focus on devolution, including the establishment of a distinct No. 10 North in Manchester, is seen as a practical application of his co-operative philosophy. His past advocacy for community ownership of football clubs and criticism of FIFA's plans to sell World Cup stakes to private investors further underscore his commitment to people-centered governance.
While previous Labour governments have supported co-operative policies, including a manifesto pledge to double the sector's size, there is particular excitement about Burnham leading from the front. His return to Westminster, initiated through a campaign HQ at a social club, is viewed as symbolically significant by Co-op representatives.