Andy Burnham could introduce 10-year plan to nationalise ‘broken’ water industry

Andy Burnham has outlined a potential 10-year strategy to bring the water industry back into public ownership, arguing that such reform is necessary to prioritize the public interest.

The mayor of Greater Manchester, who is currently campaigning for a return to Parliament in the Makerfield by-election, a move that could pave the way for him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s Labor leadership, detailed his approach on Tuesday.

He explained that he would not advocate immediate, full renationalization due to its complexity and expense, but instead proposed a gradual implementation.

Speaking to reporters at Makerfield, Mr Burnham said he believed “the industry is broken”.

He said: “This is not an industry run for the public good and you know these are industries run by private interests, as I said, but the public has no choice but to use them and so they are trapped and it is not fair at all.

“So we need serious reform, and it’s about a 10-year plan with more public control and more public ownership.

“I don’t think everything should be nationalized immediately because it’s complicated and probably expensive, but you look at different situations in different parts of the country.

“I would say there is a very strong case for Thames Water to solve the problems of public ownership.

“But you know there may be a different timeline for changes elsewhere…in other parts of the country. You have to do it in a way that is financially manageable, but you have to get us to a water industry that prioritizes the public interest rather than private interest.”

Rising water bills, sewer leaks and disruptions in supply have contributed to public anger towards water companies.

He said he had spoken to Makerfield residents affected by the flooding and that the whole area needed “significant infrastructure investment” to eliminate the risk of flooding.

Former cabinet minister Mr Burnham has promised that a vote for him in Makerfield will be a vote to “change Labour”.

He is expected to challenge Sir Keir for the Labor leadership if he returns to Westminster as an MP.

But a spokesman said he ruled out an early election if he were to join Downing Street.

Sir Keir said he would campaign for his party colleague in the by-election but Mr Burnham told reporters he did not know when the Prime Minister would be available to help in his constituency.

He said: “Of course, I’m running a campaign about changing politics so we can change the country and anyone who supports what I say and the aim of the campaign would of course be welcomed to join the campaign.

“But this is a by-election change and I don’t want anyone to be under any illusions about that. I’m not wasting my time in the traditional way of scoring points; Conservatives this, Reform that.”

He said people had sent a “huge message” to Labor in May’s local elections that they were “not happy” and “felt the party was out of touch”.

Speaking to Sky News, he said he was in favor of significant welfare reform.

He said he agreed with Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden that asking “who can we tax to pay benefits for others” was the wrong question.

“These are absolutely the wrong questions because I’m actually in favor of quite significant reform of the system. I think the DWP system doesn’t encourage people to work,” he said.

He has repeatedly dodged questions about his leadership ambitions while refusing to say whether he would serve in Sir Keir’s cabinet if elected as an MP.

Mr Burnham is one of 14 candidates standing in an election triggered by the withdrawal of Labor’s Josh Simons.

The vote is expected to be a race between Mr Burnham and Reform England candidate Robert Kenyon, a plumber and local councillor.