The Politics of Petty Frustrations: Can Andy Burnham’s ‘Everyday Fixes’ Revive Labour?

Andy Burnham’s tenure as Prime Minister has been marked by a series of policy initiatives aimed at tackling everyday frustrations that have long plagued British citizens. His “everyday fixes” approach, which includes scrapping VAT on electricity bills and capping bus fares, has drawn praise from some quarters and skepticism from others.

Burnham’s emphasis on addressing minor policy tweaks that can be easily implemented without requiring significant legislative changes echoes the “broken window” theory of crime prevention, which suggests that clamping down on small-scale antisocial behavior can help deter more serious crimes. By applying this principle to politics, Burnham is sending a clear message: he and his team are paying attention to voters’ everyday concerns and are willing to act.

However, winning over disenchanted voters will require more than just minor policy tweaks. According to pollster Peter Kellner, politicians must gain the perception that they are on the side of the people. “The amounts of money involved in bus fares and VAT may be small,” he notes, “but these policies are part of a larger story about where Burnham stands in relation to the responsibility of government to look after its citizens.”

Kellner’s analysis highlights the importance of narrative in politics. Both Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher successfully told stories about their premierships in their first five to six years, and Burnham needs to do something similar if he hopes to build a lasting legacy. This means more than just touting small victories as achievements; it requires a coherent vision that ties together seemingly disparate policy initiatives.

Some have criticized Burnham’s approach for veering into the territory of consumer gimmicks, à la Labour’s 2015 campaign. David Axelrod, the former Obama adviser, famously branded this strategy as “Vote Labour and win a microwave,” implying that it was little more than a short-term retail offer without an overarching big idea to tie everything together.

While Burnham needs to be careful not to overemphasize small wins at the expense of more significant structural reforms, he also must avoid getting bogged down in petty squabbles with the Conservative opposition. When Kemi Badenoch tried to ridicule Burnham’s cost of living policies by saying “Is that it? The problems go way beyond bus fares and VAT on bills,” Labour was ready to paint her as out of touch.

The success or failure of Burnham’s “everyday fixes” strategy will depend on how well he can balance short-term wins with long-term vision. If he can convincingly tell a story about his premiership that resonates with voters and addresses their everyday concerns, then perhaps there is hope for Labour to revive its fortunes. But if this approach falls flat, it could be a recipe for disaster.

As the government continues to grapple with the complexities of the cost of living crisis, one thing is clear: Burnham’s tenure will be defined by his ability to connect with voters on their own terms. Will he succeed in building a lasting legacy, or will his “everyday fixes” ultimately prove too little, too late?