Criticism of privatization: British prime minister promises ‘stronger public control’ of key services

Andy Burnham used his first appearance in the House of Commons as prime minister to promise plans for “stronger public control” of key public services. He described the privatization of economic power as one of the central problems facing Britain and pointed to the water industry as a symbol of that approach.

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stronger public control

Burnham said the water sector had become a “leaking monument” to a system in which the country was managed in private rather than public interests. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch responded that Burnham was offering “more state control, more taxes and more politicians.” She said her party instead wanted people to “keep more of their money.”

Burnham said he returned to national politics after 10 years outside Parliament with a “clear diagnosis” of what had gone wrong. He argued that Britain had taken “a series of wrong turns” since the 1980s. Political power had become centralized, economic power had been privatized, industry had been weakened through deindustrialization, and austerity had reduced the ability of local authorities to act.

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more state control, more taxes and more politicians

He also blamed Brexit for worsening the damage, saying it had brought a decade of low growth and stagnation in rebuilding the country. Before becoming prime minister, Burnham had declined to endorse full nationalization but said he wanted greater public control over water and energy.

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keep more of their money

Burnham became prime minister on 20 July 2026 after spending 10 years outside Parliament and previously serving for a decade as mayor of Greater Manchester. His arrival came shortly before the summer parliamentary recess, making 1 September his first day in the new parliamentary session and his first address to MPs.

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a series of wrong turns