Rebuilding a complex and broken system into one that’s fair for all, and in the face of steely opposition: that will be the PM’s real challenge Here is rare clearcut proof of the power of political persuasion. Party conference speeches, the lifeblood of political obsessives, rarely reach the public beyond a brief news clip. But this time was different. Andy Burnham’s speech spun the dial on public opinion on several political hot potatoes, defining who he is. The pensions triple lock, which guarantees that pensions rise faster than average incomes, has been a no-go electoral minefield despite a groundswell of economists (and even a Times leader ) calling for reform to prevent pensions skyrocketing. Touching this live rail was an act of bravery – or recklessness. Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit
Flipping public opinion on the triple lock was Burnham magic – he’ll need more of it to see his social care plans through | Polly Toynbee
Original reporting
The Guardian: read the full reportFollow this story
Earlier reports and follow-ups on the same developing story.
- Burnham says he would put PR in Labour manifesto and scrap triple lock to fund social care – as it happened
- Burnham vows to end existing pension triple lock in 2030 to help fund care
- Will pensioners be poorer as a result of Burnham scrapping the triple lock?
- UK‘s PM Burnham sets out plans to reshape public services
- Voters back Burnham’s plan to cut back triple lock to fund social care reform by 48% to 28%, poll suggests – as it happened
- Burnham plans to pass law scrapping pension triple lock before next election
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