Andy Burnham has promised to bring four decades of neoliberalism to an end, but his cabinet appointments raise serious questions about that pledge. The first test of his commitment was always going to be the team he assembled, and the red flags are impossible to ignore. Ending neoliberalism would require bold steps like renationalizing privatized services and unleashing public investment, yet Burnham's choices suggest caution over radical change.
Why Ed Miliband Was the Obvious Choice for Chancellor
Had Burnham truly meant to end neoliberalism, Ed Miliband would have been the natural pick for chancellor. The former Labour leader has evolved significantly since his 2015 defeat, admitting his earlier proposals were not bold enough. As energy secretary, Miliband championed publicly owned Great British Energy and returned energy-system planning to public hands. His interventionist industrial policy would have confronted Treasury resistance head-on.
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The Treasury's Role in Britain's Economic Decline
The Treasury has a long track record of overly pessimistic borrowing projections, dating back to the 1970s IMF bailout and subsequent public sector cuts. Burnham's support for suffocating fiscal rules and vague language like “public control” instead of public ownership has only deepened skepticism. His cabinet choices—including Healey as chancellor and Streeting as defence secretary—signal a continuation, not a break, with the past.
Comparison: Burnham's Cabinet vs. Radical Reform
| Reform Needed | Burnham's Cabinet Signal | Radical Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| End fiscal austerity | Healey (chancellor) supports current rules | Miliband (chancellor) would challenge Treasury |
| Public ownership of energy | Miliband sidelined | Miliband as chancellor could drive nationalization |
| Confront market orthodoxy | Streeting (defence) lacks economic focus | Dedicated economic reformer in Treasury |
Key Takeaways from Burnham's Cabinet
- Neoliberalism promises remain unfulfilled; cabinet lacks radical economic reformers.
- Ed Miliband was the most qualified for chancellor but was bypassed due to market fears.
- Fiscal rules continue to constrain public investment, undermining transformative change.
- Market backlash concerns appear to have influenced Burnham's final decisions.
- Public ownership rhetoric has not translated into concrete cabinet appointments.
FAQ: Understanding Burnham's Cabinet and Neoliberalism
What does ending neoliberalism actually mean?
Ending neoliberalism involves reversing privatizations, increasing public investment, and using state power to reshape the economy away from market-led policies. Burnham's cabinet choices suggest a more cautious approach.
Why was Ed Miliband not chosen as chancellor?
Burnham reportedly feared a market backlash against Miliband's radical net zero and public ownership policies. Allies briefed against him, despite his strong record as energy secretary.
How does the Treasury influence UK economic policy?
The Treasury has historically used pessimistic borrowing forecasts to justify austerity and limit public spending. Burnham's support for current fiscal rules means this pattern is likely to continue.
In summary, Burnham's cabinet is a missed opportunity to break with four decades of neoliberalism. By choosing familiar faces over bold reformers, he has signaled that the promised transformation may be more rhetorical than real. For those hoping for a new economic direction, the cabinet choices are a sobering reality check.
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