Own or regulate Burnham faces choice over key public services

As she swept towards victory in the Makerfield byelection, Andy Burnham told voters he wanted to see “the essentials of life being run primarily for the public interest, not for the private interests”.

- Heather Stewart Economics editor

Citing the Bee Network of buses and trams across Manchester city region, brought together on his watch, Burnham repeatedly highlighted the need for more “public control” over the necessities of life. Now PM-in-waiting, he is expected to say more about his economic priorities in a speech on Monday.

Burnham’s Manchester address will be received with intense interest by everyone from his more leftwing backers to the owners of vast chunks of the British economy.

They will look to gauge whether he is serious about expanding the role of the state - all the way through to outright nationalisation - and willing to stare down the vested interests in the way.

His choice of chancellor is being viewed as a critical test. Advocates of an economic reset, including nationalisation, see Ed Miliband as the only plausible candidate who would be prepared to countenance the steps needed - including facing down intense industry lobbying.

The former health secretary Wes Streeting, in contrast, did not mention public ownership or control in his recent speech on “progressive capitalism”, with the bookies’ favourite for No 11 focusing instead on alignment with the European Union, planning deregulation and exploiting the North Sea.