Hope must be backed by legislation | Letter

Andy Burnham has a short window to demonstrate that he will follow a new path, writes Benjamin SelwynAndy Beckett is right to identify Andy Burnham as a figure on to whom renewed hopes might be projected (Burnham has brought hope back to Labour – but he must understand how quickly it can be punctured, 26 June). But those hopes must be understood in the shadow of Keir Starmer’s rapid dissipation of the electoral mandate secured in 2024.That victory was built on a promise – implicit if not explicit – of material improvement. Instead, policies such as maintaining the two‑child benefit cap, cutting the winter fuel allowance, and failing to confront price gouging by utilities and supermarkets deepened the cost of living crisis for millions. Continue reading...