Andy Burnham is just days away from moving in to Number 10. As he prepares to take office, the former Manchester Mayor has promised to reform social care.
On Friday, Andy Burnham was crowned leader of the Labour Party. The news didn’t come as much of a shock considering he received 349 nominations, meaning it was impossible for any other candidate to run alongside him.
Following his victory, Burnham delivered his first speech as Labour’s leader during a conference held in central London. It is understood he will take over from Sir Keir Starmer on Monday (20 July), which is also when he is expected to announce his cabinet reshuffle.
Although Burnham didn’t announce any of his policies in detail today, he argued that British politics has become too diverse and disconnected from everyday life. He said: ‘This is a moment for new politics,’ adding that ‘power must move out from Westminster’.
On Wednesday (15 July – before he was victorious), Burnham also said he would ‘expend quite a lot of political capital’ into social care. In a video on social media, which can be found here, he talked about his family’s experience with the care system as his father has Alzheimer’s.
Michelle Dyson CB, CEO of Alzheimer’s Society’s, said Burnham’s ‘promise to pursue reform offers hope.’
He added: ‘We are looking forward to working with the new Prime Minister and his Government to deliver the bold action needed on dementia.
‘Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, yet it has been overlooked for far too long. With the Modern Service Framework for Dementia and Frailty and the Casey Commission underway, it is critical that the new Prime Minister seizes this moment to transform diagnosis, care and support.
‘Dementia doesn’t wait, and neither should government. Andy Burnham now has a real opportunity to make dementia a national priority and deliver the change people affected by dementia have waited too long to see.’
Image: Shutterstock
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