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Localgov.co.uk sister title The MJ has given each of Labour's five leadership candidates an early opportunity to outline their local service priorities, devolution plans and ‘localist' credentials. Here, former health secretary, Andy Burnham, presents his thoughts on the increasingly crucial local policy battleground. Labour has a proud tradition in local government, but there were times in Government when we didn't value our councillors enough. Had we worked more closely with our councillors, had we listened to them, we might not have made some of the mistakes which blighted Labour's time in government – mistakes such as the abolition of the 10p tax rate. Under my leadership, the relationship between central and local government will be less top-down and more of a partnership. We cannot expect to do the best for our communities if we do not listen to those closest to them. I have asked Cllr Peter Smith, the leader of Wigan BC, to lead a ‘local government task force' to examine in detail how we best devolve powers from Whitehall to local authorities, so that we can work together while delivering regional and local outcomes. The task force will also consider how we can strengthen and improve the relationship between the national party, our policy-making processes and our local government representatives. There is one area, in particular, where Labour did too little. Our failure to build more council homes early in the life of the Government was a major mistake, leaving many areas with a deficit of affordable social housing which, in turn, exacerbated tensions in the local community. While building new housing must always be part of the solution, there is something more we can do to increase the housing stock quickly. I propose giving councils the extended prudential borrowing powers to enable them to purchase private-rented houses, if necessary, using compulsory purchase, owned by absent landlords who allow their properties to fall into disrepair, bringing whole areas down, have no regard for the tenants and are only interested in collecting housing benefit payments. By allowing councils to take this action, we bring more housing stock into local authority control, can provide reassurance to local communities, and address the concerns about run-down areas and the potential these bring as a breeding ground for anti-social behaviour. We need to help people get on in life, with access to affordable housing, but we must build public confidence in the fairness of the allocation system. I will explore new allocation policies such as the Community Contribution scheme pioneered by Manchester City Council, where priority for housing is linked to the contribution that people make to the wider community. The idea that people's ability to get on in life is linked to their contribution to the common good is consistent with the principles of aspirational socialism. Andy Burnham is Labour MP for Leigh in Greater Manchester, and former health secretary

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WHITEHALL

Our vision for local government - Andy Burnham

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