Burnham has used his first address to MPs as prime minister to promise further devolution and greater public control over essential services.
The remarks set out a direction of travel focused on shifting more power away from central government and increasing public involvement in services regarded as essential. The source material does not specify which services would be affected, how the changes would be delivered, or the timetable for any proposals.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the approach, saying Burnham was offering “more government control, more taxes and more politicians”. Her response framed the plans as an expansion of the state and signalled early opposition from the Conservative benches.
The exchange came as Burnham addressed MPs for the first time in his new role, making the pledges an early marker of his priorities in government.
Further detail will be needed on the scope of the devolution plans, the model of public control being proposed and whether any tax changes would be involved. For now, the clearest political dividing line is between Burnham’s promise of more local power and public oversight, and Badenoch’s warning that the agenda would increase government intervention and costs.
