There is, these days, a palpable sense of energy associated with Number 10, whether in Downing Street or Manchester. A drive to get things done. We had the cut in VAT on domestic energy bills and, for England, the £2 cap on bus fares, the curbs on business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues plus the instruction to end rough sleeping. Each adding to an impression of action.

However, that sentiment will prove entirely illusory if there is no accompanying endeavour on the core problem confronting these islands. Our economy. That is the cavernous gap in the Burnham programme thus far.

Now, to be fair, any big announcements will come in John Healey’s autumn budget. And you may tell me that several of the Downing Street directives are designed to ameliorate the lives of folk who feel precipitously poised rather too close to the cliff edge. That is so – but, thus far, there is minimal evidence as to how the PM hopes or intends to stimulate our flagging, stagnant economy. To release the revenues to fund his worthwhile and valid intentions on welfare and family support, for example.

Let me say firstly that Burnham’s enthusiasm is welcome. He is genuine in his desire to improve the lives of our citizens. That can lead him, on occasion, to sound evangelical, talking about renewing our society after four decades of neo-liberal neglect. But there is also a pragmatic strain in evidence. It would appear, for example, that he is ready to consider further development of North Sea oil and gas, in the light of the global energy crisis. I doubt he will find much opposition on that one from Bute House.

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