Labour Vote Andy For Us and Reform UK garden signs during the Makerfield by-election campaign for mayor Andy Burnham in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

Andy Burnham makes his first appearance at a Labour Party Conference as UK Prime Minister and Labour leader in Liverpool in September 2026, a significant moment in British politics following his arrival in Downing Street in July and succession to Keir Starmer. Born in Liverpool and previously Mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham used the conference to present a new political direction for Labour and called for renewed hope after what he described as years of division and drift. His keynote speech combined his established North West political identity with proposals for substantial reform of public services and the economy. Central to the agenda was creation of a National Care Service, intended to provide social care on principles closer to the NHS, alongside proposed changes to the state pension triple lock after 2030 to help fund reform. Burnham also advocated greater public control of essential services including water, energy and housing, measures addressing poor-quality and empty homes, and restrictions affecting Right to Buy for new social housing. Other prominent themes included electoral reform, opportunities for young people, the cost of living and a reassessment of Britain’s post-Brexit relationship with the European Union. His first conference as Prime Minister therefore marked an important early attempt to define the Burnham government and distinguish its political programme, while difficult questions remained over public finances, taxation, implementation and the affordability of its ambitions. The Liverpool gathering also highlighted Burnham’s transition from Greater Manchester mayor and prominent northern politician to national Labour leader and UK Prime Minister.