Six things to watch for as Labour MPs return to Parliament

Parliament returns next Tuesday following summer recess, with Andy Burnham’s government facing a series of decisions that will begin to define the direction of the new administration.

From Labour’s conference in Liverpool to the first Budget of the new government, electoral reform and the return of assisted dying legislation, the months ahead will put some of Burnham’s priorities to the test.

The Budget

On October 28, Chancellor John Healey will deliver Burnham’s government’s first Budget, setting out its spending priorities and offering an early indication of how the new PM intends to approach the public finances.

This Budget will also be closely watched for what it says about defence spending. Healey previously resigned as Defence Secretary under Keir Starmer over the government’s approach to defence investment.

The government has committed to increasing defence spending, but the timing of further investment remains unclear. Sky News’ Sam Coates has suggested that some of the increase could instead be deferred until the spending review expected the following year.

The Budget will also need to reassure financial markets as the government sets out its spending plans. As Burnham continues to look for ways to offer ‘breathing space’ for the public, this budget may have to be more inventive in order to deliver against the cost-of-living crisis, as too much of an emphasis on borrowing and spending could cause the markets to become unnerved, potentially introducing greater complications for Burnham and Healey’s Treasury plans later down the line.

READ MORE: Majority of Labour MPs back review of voting system, poll reveals

The ten-year plan

A ten-year plan is expected in November and is likely to provide the government with its overarching political narrative.

Rather than a single policy announcement, the plan is expected to bring together a series of documents covering different areas of government and setting out the direction of travel.

For Burnham, this could be where his argument that government should “do politics differently” begins to translate into the way his administration operates.

The plan is also likely to provide an indication of how individual policy programmes fit together and whether a recognisable approach to government – what could be described as Burnhamism – is beginning to emerge.

Burnham has previously talked about changing the way Whitehall works, and following this summer establishing the early stages of this through ‘Number 10 North’, the ten-year plan could provide an early indication of what Burnham’s ‘rewiring of the state’ means in practice.

Water and utilities

The government’s approach to utility companies, particularly the water industry, is also expected to feature in the months ahead.

Changes to the way water companies operate could be brought forward as part of the ten-year plan, although the precise proposals and timetable remain to be seen.

Pressure remains for the government to be tougher on the water industry, with many wondering whether Burnham’s government will build on some of the work introduced under the previous administration, following the termination of Ofwat and the introduction of a new, stronger water regulator.

Become a friend of LabourList and join our community. Our friends support our vital non-factional work and get access to exclusive content and events. 

Assisted dying returns

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is also set to return to the Commons on September 11.

The legislation, originally introduced by Kim Leadbeater, passed the Commons but ran out of time in the House of Lords during the last parliamentary session. Labour MP Lauren Edwards is now bringing the bill back after coming second in the ballot for Private Members’ Bills.

Whether the revived bill can make it through both Houses this time remains uncertain, with assisted dying continuing to divide MPs and the wider Labour movement.

Electoral reform

The Representation of the People Bill will return to Parliament with Alex Sobel’s amendment calling for a National Commission on Electoral Reform.

The amendment has been signed by 185 MPs, making it the most-supported amendment to a bill in the current Parliament. A YouGov poll for LabourList has also found that 55 per cent of Labour MPs support establishing the commission, compared with 29 per cent who oppose it.

The amendment would require the government to report on the feasibility of establishing a commission to review the voting system for elections to the House of Commons and make recommendations for reform.

Burnham has previously backed moving away from first past the post in favour of a proportional system.

The debate over Sobel’s amendment will therefore offer an early test of how far the new government is prepared to move on constitutional reform — and whether Parliament could begin a process that would lead to a significant change in the way general elections are conducted.

With the amendment already backed by a majority of Labour MPs, the government will face pressure to decide how it wants to respond when Parliament returns.

Subscribe here to our daily newsletter roundup of Labour news, analysis and comment– and follow us on TikTok, Bluesky, WhatsApp, X and Facebook. You can also write to our editor to share your thoughts on our stories and share your own. The best letters are published every Sunday.

Labour Party Conference

Labour’s annual conference takes place in Liverpool from September 26, with the party gathering for the first time since Burnham became Prime Minister and Labour leader.

LabourList will be there to cover all of the announcements and stories from inside the secure zone, fringes and beyond, as well as delivering a conference programme that will bring together a range of ministers and powerful voices from across the Labour movement.

We are looking forward to seeing readers, members and LabourList supporters in Liverpool. There will also, of course, be the return of the best event on the entire conference programme: LabourList Karaoke – with tickets going on sale very soon. Make sure you grab yours when they drop to make sure you don’t miss out!

• • SHARE: If you have anything to share that we should be looking into or publishing about this story – or any other topic involving Labour– contact us (strictly anonymously if you wish) at [email protected].
  • SUBSCRIBE: Sign up to LabourList’s morning email here for the best briefing on everything Labour, every weekday morning.
  • BECOME A FRIEND: If you enjoyed this, why not consider becoming a Friend of LabourList? Help sustain our journalism, and of course Friends do get benefits…
  • PARTNER: If you or your organisation might be interested in partnering with us on sponsored events or projects, email [email protected].
  • ADVERTISE: If your organisation would like to advertise or run sponsored pieces on LabourList‘s daily newsletter or website, contact our exclusive ad partners Total Politics at [email protected].