‘Cost of ignoring explanation for local weather disaster could be a needlessly excessive worth for Burnham to pay’
Wildfires, most of the country under drought restrictions and two trains derailed in as many days… banning disposable BBQs and sending an anti-terror phone alert were a half-baked response to a worsening emergency.
Andy Burnham’s failure even to mention the fossil fuel-driven climate crisis which is powering extreme temperatures in his No 10 statement – after a performative Cobra meeting declaring war on outdoor foil cooking trays – was a rare misstep in an otherwise largely sure-footed start to a promising Premiership.
Surprising too, when Burnham spoke powerfully as Greater Manchester Mayor in favour of protecting our way of life and saving the planet from the polluting, expensive and deadly carbon generated by burning gas, oil and coal.
Also a missed opportunity with the UK Labour government, like the Conservatives and ConDem coalition which came before it, powering ahead by investing in green jobs and technology to produce safer, cleaner and ultimately more reliable and cheaper renewable electricity.
Lowering the cost of living and improving living standards remains the most immediate concern of most voters and the PM faces a huge battle to explain to a misled public that net migration is actually way down and small boat crossings – despite even bigger vessels – are lower as well.
All No 10 tenants live in the moment and this PM picking social care, wrestling with how to provide and fund support for those who require assistance without depleting savings and selling homes, is a laudable goal destined to consume much of his bandwidth.
Yet the cost of ignoring what is causing the climate crisis would be a needlessly high price to pay when reaching net zero remains popular, despite the hot air spewed by Reform ranters and Tory twisters dumping what was their policy.
Mistaken too in the battle for hearts and minds, Burnham is capable of owning the future – and recovering more Labour lost votes to the Greens – instead of appeasing fossil fools living in the past.
Fluent and a good communicator, still enjoying the goodwill of sceptics, earning better approval ratings than rival leaders and putting Labour top of the polls, Burnham should make an argument he would win.
Go green, vote red.
