Why Biba members defy the city-centric myth

Prime minister Andy Burnham is the seventh PM the UK has had in just over 10 years.

Such change is not unusual. Romania has had 13; Bulgaria 11 and France nine in similar periods.

If our civil servants weren’t already accustomed to the revolving door of ministers, they might struggle to keep up. 

The more radical the promise to “fix the big things” in Britain, the more likely it is that some of the solutions won’t have featured explicitly in Labour’s original manifesto.

As things stand, they’re probably well practised at preparing briefing packs for a new minister. Perhaps that’s a silver lining of political instability.

While the Westminster machine will be busy this summer, I thought it a good idea to look at what a change in leadership means for our sector.

Starmer vs Burnham

Arguably, there’s more continuity between former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and Burnham than many might expect.

In different ways, they’re both offering the same thing: change combined with stability.

Starmer’s election campaign was built around the promise of restoring stability after years of turbulence. 

He argued that Britain needed fundamental change after 14 years of Conservative government and frequently spoke of a country that was, in many respects, broken and in need of repair.

Burnham is talking in similar terms and tones. While his Cabinet has lots of new faces, the messages are the same.

Changes in leadership

Looking back over the last decade, there are broadly three reasons prime ministers change before a general election.

1. Controversy. From Liz Truss’ mini-Budget to Boris Johnson’s various rumpus, my peers in the World Federation of Insurance Intermediaries commented that Westminster has occasionally resembled reality TV!
2. A leader becomes politically exhausted, but the overall direction of travel remains the same. Think Margaret Thatcher handing over to John Major, or Tony Blair passing the baton to Gordon Brown. Personnel changes; the governing programme largely continues.
3. The public wants something fundamentally different, and somebody waiting in the wings offers it, like Johnson replacing Theresa May.

Burnham fits most closely into this final category. He’s promised a significant shift in direction and has presented himself as the person capable of tackling Britain’s long-standing challenges.

Burnham’s Britain

Though this messaging arguably won Burnham his Makerfield seat, it could prove to be a blessing or a curse.

The more radical the promise to “fix the big things” in Britain, the more likely it is that some of the solutions won’t have featured explicitly in Labour’s original manifesto. 

That inevitably raises questions about political legitimacy and whether major changes require a fresh mandate from voters.

An election seems unlikely. 

Labour cannot afford to waste the opportunity it has been given. After the internal rebellions that emerged soon after Labour took office in 2024, there is likely to be much greater pressure on MPs to remain united behind the leadership’s agenda.

He’s also spoken about governing with a longer-term horizon, setting out a 10-year vision focused on four key themes: defence, welfare reform, devolution and economic growth.

For brokers, the final two priorities matter most.

Supporting growth

If economic growth is the government’s central mission, Biba members are uniquely placed to help deliver it.

Economic success does not begin and end in London.

Biba’s members are embedded in communities across every part of the UK. 

They have the expertise, infrastructure and local relationships needed to support businesses, families and entrepreneurs wherever growth occurs.

Biba’s 11 regions are home to thousands of professionals supporting local economies every day. 

After London and the South East – our largest region with around 660 broker branches – the West of England is our second-largest region with 185, followed closely by Yorkshire & Northern, 179, Anglia 178, West Midlands 167 and Greater Manchester 151.

Taking all regions into account, more than two-thirds of our members are based outside London.

The government’s ambitions for regional growth, devolution and reindustrialisation cannot be delivered from Whitehall alone. 

They require trusted businesses and professional services rooted in local economies. Brokers are part of that ecosystem.

Burnham is acutely aware that the cost of living remains a challenge for many households, and Biba has long championed financial inclusion and access to insurance. 

Our signposting service has helped hundreds of thousands of people find appropriate cover, helping people and businesses to be financially resilient.

Looking ahead

Biba members can play an important role in supporting the government’s economic ambitions; aiding confidence to invest, supporting regional growth, and improving financial inclusion, brokers are part of the solution.

Biba will work constructively with any government that puts growth first and our members are on hand to help.