Andy Burnham has just finished his first speech as Labour leader. The Prime Minister delivered the message his party craved: a seventy-minute peroration that tied his personal story to the nation’s future. We were promised a meaty speech – and Burnham delivered.

In an unashamed appeal to his party’s values, the Prime Minister began by championing public control in three main areas: water, housing and energy. He then moved onto three further areas where he wants to move the dial: electoral reform, Europe and social care. It concluded with an emotive appeal in the name of his late father, Roy, hailing the cause of the Union and pledging to build a Britain fit for the future. Standing ovation after standing ovation greeted his remarks: delegates left the hall with several rubbing away tears........

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