‘You can’t just leave it to the market’: Frontrunner to replace UK PM Starmer calls for ‘strong public control’ over industry and AI Andy Burnham, a potential challenger to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has called for increased regulation of AI, Big Tech, and key industries, citing the 2008 financial crash as a consequence of deregulation. He argues that “40 years of neoliberalism” have harmed communities and that “trickle-down economics” has failed, advocating instead for “strong public control and direction” in areas like transport and energy to foster growth. Burnham’s stance contrasts with the market-friendly approach favored by Starmer and his finance minister, potentially creating jitters in financial markets.

• Andy Burnham proposes stricter regulation for AI, Big Tech, and vital industries.
• He links the 2008 financial crisis to a failure of regulation and warns against repeating mistakes.
• Burnham criticizes “40 years of neoliberalism” and the ineffectiveness of “trickle-down economics.”
• He advocates for “strong public control and direction” over services like transport and energy to stimulate growth.
• Burnham is positioned as a potential successor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose leadership is under pressure.
• His economic views are perceived as more left-leaning than Starmer’s, causing concern among some investors.