Labour conference: Andy Burnham gives the only speech that should worry the Tories

Andy Burnham has just delivered the best speech from a Labour MP at conference. Taken from the autocue, it was emotive, stirring, tribal, and just what delegates needed. It seemed to have taken rather a number of lessons from the ‘Yes’ campaign in Scotland in that it was relentlessly negative about the threat that the Tories pose to the NHS and framed not voting Labour as an active threat to the health service.

Burnham got a number of standing ovations – the first was just a few words into his speech – and had the audience captivated throughout. Why? He spoke with a passion and a sense of purpose. When he reached the stage in his speech where he explained why he wanted better care standards, he spoke about his own family:

‘About ten years ago, I saw my own mum ground down and worn out by the battle to get decent care for my gran.