UK Edition

Monday, 2 November 2026

Markets Brief

News, business, world affairs and market coverage

UK

‘New direction, same old problems’: the economic challenges facing Andy Burnham | Richard Partington

Markets Brief, UK brief (2026-07-05): Make Miliband chancellor, ex-chief Treasury adviser tells Burnham John Harris: Without a good revival plan, Burnham cannot succeed In politics, timing and… Primary source: original at The Guardian (theguardian.com).

‘New direction, same old problems’: the economic challenges facing  Andy Burnham | Richard Partington

In politics, timing and luck matter. Tony Blair had astounding good fortune, benefiting from goldilocks economic conditions and a weak opposition. Others have taken charge in tougher times: in the 1970s Harold Wilson faced a global energy crisis, as have the last four occupants of No 10.

As Andy Burnham prepares to replace Keir Starmer, there are clear economic headwinds for the prime minister-presumptive.

Continue reading...