Burnham came to power promising radical change – the signs are that it won’t be for the better

Growing pains ONE of Andy Burnham’s key slogans since becoming Prime Minister is “growth in every postcode”. Whatever that means. Andy Burnham promised ‘growth in every postcode’ – but the latest GDP figures suggest there is still a long way to go Credit: Reuters The autumn, with no heatwaves or World Cup to boost spending, could see a painful economic slowdown ahead of John Healey’s first Budget Credit: Alamy Yesterday’s quarterly GDP figures show there is still a very long way to go. Despite the promises, growth has basically flat-lined for over two years. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Tax rises have squeezed incomes and businesses, while giant welfare bills have become a massive drag on the economy. That has left the construction industry in ruins, shattering any hopes that the Government can build the 1.5million new homes it pledged. READ MORE FROM THE SUN SAYS More than one million young people are not in work, training or education as a result of Labour’s National Insurance and minimum wage increases. What do Burnham and his Chancellor John Healey plan to do about either? The signs are not good. More taxes ALWAYS mean less growth. Yet Burnham is planning a wealth whack on individuals and property that will drive away entrepreneurs. Most read in The Sun Closer ties with the dying EU won’t deliver growth either. The ongoing Iran War also threatens to blow a huge hole in Healey’s plans at a time when he MUST ramp up defence spending. The autumn, with no heatwaves or World Cup to boost spending, could see a painful economic slowdown ahead of Healey’s first Budget. Burnham came to power promising radical change. The signs are that it won’t be for the better. Hard Labour YVETTE Cooper finally admits what most of the country may have decided a long time ago: Labour hasn’t been very good at being in government. Turning on the man who made her Foreign Secretary, Cooper says Sir Keir Starmer’s hands-off style of management meant their first two years in power were wasted. Certainly, there have been precious few upsides and plenty of disasters. Welfare up, taxes, spending and debt all up, inflation and unemployment both up and defence spending down. The Chagos Islands giveaway, the endless U-turns. The Peter Mandelson scandal. The only question is: Will Burnham prove to be any better? Dawn of the dud LABOUR truly is the party of the sneering metropolitan elite. In response to a post on the struggles of the betting industry — which employs thousands and supports dozens of charities — Dawn Butler MP posted: “lol.” Laughing in the faces of ordinary punters who choose to spend hard-earned money on a harmless flutter is typical of a party that has lost all connection to its working-class roots. Butler’s attitude reflects many within Labour’s ranks for whom the first instinct is always that Nanny Knows Best. Comment now