‘I hear you’: Burnham’s pledge to ‘knock money off bills immediately’ signals politics of deliverism

Summary

Stuart Norval is pleased to welcome Matthew Torbitt, former Labour Party advisor, political commentator, and anti-homelessness campaigner. With only weeks to prepare for a long-term 10-year programme for government, Burnham appears to be prioritising measures that demonstrate immediate responsiveness to economic insecurity. For Torbitt, this reflects a politics of “deliverism” rooted in Burnham’s ability to communicate empathy and urgency. His appeal rests partly on an image of ordinariness, relatability and trustworthiness: a PM who appears to understand everyday hardship and who can translate that understanding into tangible action.