Borrow a few more Tory policies, Andy

Plus: Britain leans socialist, and can Labour run a gift shop?

Jul 22, 2026

Bus fares at £2 – but whose idea was it? As Andy Burnham pushed his latest in what looks to be a blitz of small policies designed to make people feel better off, the Conservatives pointed out they came up with the idea before Burnham brought it to Manchester. Maybe he could borrow a few more Tory policies. Fancy scrapping stamp duty, Andy?

Burnham’s Chancellor may need to find the courage to tackle welfare reform. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately wrote for CapX today about why it’s the only way out – for a politician who’s brave enough to take it on.

But perhaps the PM has a better sense of the nation’s current economic inclinations. A new survey from Ipsos found that 57% of the public favour a ‘mainly socialist’ society – up from 47% in 1989. Advocates for capitalism have work to do, if we don’t want voters to discover the hard way where socialist policies lead.

Marc Sidwell@marcsidwell

The new @Ipsos_in_the_UK Understanding Society report says 83% of the public think the country's heading in the wrong direction. Certainly true for the public's views on capitalism v socialism!

11:06 AM · Jul 22, 2026 · 502 Views

1 Reply · 3 Reposts · 6 Likes

For those of us in the 30% who still favour free enterprise, my conversation with Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith on The Capitalist is out today. We covered the future of steel, the return of free-market Conservatism and whether Burnham’s team understand business. As he put it: ‘it would be helpful if the Labour front bench had more work experience than someone who interned in the House of Commons gift shop.’

In other news, Donald Trump is embarking on a new wave of tariffs, as his temporary levies expire this week. Having slapped a 50% tariff on Canada on Monday, he has also announced plans for a 200% tariff on generic medicines. Let’s hope our new Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband can work magic on the special relationship…

Below you’ll find all the latest pieces from CapX, plus what we’re reading from around the web.

Marc Sidwell
Editor, CapX

Today’s Takes

Fresh thinking from CapX

Has Healey got the guts to reform welfare?

Helen Whately

‘The path to a stronger economy runs through work, not welfare – and the country cannot afford a government too timid to make that case.’

Our new Chancellor has a problem: paying for Andy Burnham’s plans. Raising taxes will damage the economy, and won’t raise enough. Lower bus fares and VAT off energy bills are scarce consolation when people can’t get jobs. There is no other way. John Healey needs to find the courage to reform welfare. Read More

Burnham has charm – but he needs new ideas

Joseph Dinnage

‘Starmer was uniquely wooden in his approach, and doubtless that turned many voters off him. But his fundamental failing was not one of presentation, but policy.’

Burnham talks about a new start, but beneath the Northern trimmings, his administration shows signs of being a PR makeover for Starmerism. That won’t be enough. Andy Burnham is relatable in a way that Keir Starmer never was. But the last government’s fundamental failing was bad policies that left people worse off. Read More

The Capitalist: Andrew Griffith talks business

I sat down with Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith to ask whether Andy Burnham is about to double down on a bigger state or finally embrace growth. We also discussed why Westminster needs more people who have actually run a company, Labour’s ‘insane’ plan to expand equal value pay claims and why putting up taxes was toxic for the Conservative Party’s brand.

Griffith argues that nationalising British Steel is a mistake – reindustrialising Britain doesn’t require more subsidies or state ownership, but cheaper energy, lower taxes, welfare reform and a ruthless assault on red tape. He also explains why business confidence depends as much on certainty as on policy itself.

Plus: how Kemi Badenoch is steering her party back towards free-market principles, and what a pro-growth offer to the next generation should look like.

Best of the Web

Burnham's savings drive is doomed

Matthew Lynn, The Spectator

‘Andy Burnham wants to spend lots of money, but has no idea where to get it from.’

Days into the job, and Andy Burnham is already searching for savings. With his new announcements already carrying a price tag of £1.6 billion, there’s no surprise ministers are being asked to take a ‘hard look’ at their budgets. But Burnham could – and should – have come up with a plan for savings before now. There are ways to do it – for a leader willing to make unpopular decisions. Read More

Neoliberalism works – that why Blair embraced it

Daniel Finkelstein, The Times 🔒

‘People rejected Old Labour because its policies had failed and promised further failure – for predictable reasons.’

Burnham promises a return to the Labour we ‘once knew’. But in vowing to undo 40 years of neoliberalism, he rejects not only Margaret Thatcher but the Labour era that once revived his party. Tony Blair chose to walk the same path as Thatcher because it worked. Read More