Andy Burnham’s manifesto

[muddy]

Should we believe him ?

Ahead of his possible ascendancy to No. 10, here is a list of Burnham's U-turns and policy promises to date:

U-turns

• Trans: Despite having previously advocated for trans women to be able to use female loos, Burnham has now said he supports the Supreme Court ruling and that its findings should be implemented.
• Migrant benefits: Despite previously advocating for migrants on work, student or family visas to have access to handouts, Burnham now says he opposes the idea.
• Fiscal rules: At Labour conference last year, Burnham accused the government of being 'in hock to the bond markets'. Earlier this year he pledged to stick to Rachel Reeves's fiscal rules. On June 5 he said that actually the fiscal rules are up for debate. 
• Rejoining the EU: Also at Labour conference last year, Burnham insisted Britain should rejoin the EU. Since the Makerfield by-election kicked off, his stance has softened to 'respecting the result' and 'not advocating' a second referendum – in the short term.
• BLM: In 2020, Burnham signed a statement supporting Black Lives Matter, but on Question Time he disavowed 'taking the knee'.

New or reaffirmed policies

• Burnham has pledged to slash the number of peers in the House of Lords and called for the chamber to be subject to an 'indirect election that could be linked to a general election'.
• Cut business rates for pubs and music venues by 20 per cent.
• Replace council tax with a land value tax.
• Abolish death duties and replace them with a flat-rate 'national care levy'.
• Introduce proportional representation.
• All utilities brought under public ownership or wrapped in more red tape

[GrannyMac]

What politicians propose before elections often has little resemblance to what they actually achieve. 

[muddy]

The only one I am interested in is the Inheritance tax
I live in a small bungalow but because  of the area it is worth far more than the inheritance tax threshold of £325 k ( a figure that has not been raised for the last 18+ years )
The price of bungalows in North wiltshire is outrageous a one bedroomed one went recently for £550 - it did have a view which I suppose accounted  for this extraordinary price .

Of course my children might not inherit it as if (god forbid)  we need care it would be gobbled up in no time ( care home fees being about £2000 a week in the area ) that is £104,000 pa

Obviously if you can you must pay .
But 40%
People say give it to them while you are alive but for many people their house is their major asset and they are living in it unlike seriously wealthy  people they cannot just give it away .

The government also has all sorts of rules to cover this

I resent the idea of the government taking 40 % of my estate over the threshold I want it to go to my children and grandchildren to help them in this uncertain world .

Burnhams idea of a 'care levy ' capped at 10% seems reasonable but to pay for that he would raise income tax


https://archive.is/20260522062635/https://www.thetimes.com/money/tax/article/andy-burnhams-ambition-to-abolish-inheritance-tax-jxw30gfl7

What do other people think ?

[klondike]

What politicians propose before elections often has little resemblance to what they actually achieve.

Indeed. They often seem to achieve the exact opposite of what they promised.
Lower energy prices
Smash the Gangs
etc. etc.
When they do something there are often unintended consequences...
   minimum wage changes
   employee rights
   employer only NI increase
    .... unemployment - especially for young people.
   tenant rights
     ... fewer rental properties and higher rents
   improved sickness benefits
     ... more claimants
   higher NHS and rail wages
     ... more disputes and strikes - well they seem a soft touch
   more cheap renewables
     ... higher energy bills