Echo Comment on Andy Burnham’s first speech as PM in the Commons

This afternoon, Andy Burnham made his first appearance in the House of Commons and immediately the difference to his predecessor was obvious: he was easily humoured and fluently human compared to the laboured lines and wooden legalese of his predecessor, Keir Starmer.

Mr Burnham put all of the catchphrases he has been honing over the summer into one attractive speech.

He talked of “problem solving over point scoring” and of how devolution would bring power back to local communities which over recent decades have become overlooked and powerless.

He promised high street revival and that there would be “positivity and possibility in every postcode in Britain”.

Much of it showed he is in touch with the British people and that he is desperate to sort out intractable problems like welfare spending and especially social care.

And the water industry – “a leaking monument” to private not public interest, he said – should prepare itself for a shower of change, as so many British people want.

But identifying the issues is only a small part of the battle.

As Kemi Badenoch said, he will be judged on his delivery.

And delivery will be difficult.

We’re high taxed and borrowing heavily, yet defence spending has to rise massively if we are, as he promised, to meet our international obligations.

This, and all the problems that weighed so heavily on Mr Starmer, are still there.

The vibes may be bouncing and the smile may be back on the government’s face, but that is only the start of the journey.