Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has extended an invitation to the leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties for discussions aimed at reforming England's beleaguered social care system. The prime minister, who is expected to deliver a speech on the matter on Wednesday, has stressed the importance of finding cross-party consensus to tackle the long-standing issues.

Social care in England faces significant challenges, with concerns that the National Health Service (NHS) could face collapse if the system is not fundamentally reformed. This issue has been a persistent problem for successive governments, often described as too politically risky or complex to address comprehensively.

Burnham has invited Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey to meet him. Sir Ed has confirmed his attendance, though he will join remotely. Badenoch, however, will not be present and has sent shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew in her place. A Conservative source suggested the invitation's short notice indicated it might be performative.

The mayor's initiative comes as he prepares to announce an acceleration of the Casey Commission, an independent review tasked with developing recommendations for a National Care Service. The commission, led by Baroness Louise Casey, will launch a public consultation to gather views on social care reform. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to join Burnham for the announcement.

Burnham has stated that he is seeking a new approach to politics, focusing on problem-solving rather than political point-scoring. He emphasized that finding common ground and listening to different perspectives are crucial steps towards fixing the social care system, a goal he described as urgent. He previously proposed a universal social care system in 2009, which included a compulsory levy, a concept that faced criticism and was branded a "death tax" by the Conservatives at the time.

A spokesperson for the Conservatives indicated that Stuart Andrew would attend and expressed readiness to collaborate on measures that enhance social care. However, they reiterated the party's stance that any reforms should not rely on tax increases or increased borrowing, demanding a clear, credible, and fully costed plan.

Sir Ed Davey, in a statement on X, confirmed his participation in the talks, signaling the Liberal Democrats' willingness to engage in discussions about the future of social care. The exclusion of Reform UK and the Green Party from the invitations has also drawn attention, raising questions about the scope of the proposed cross-party dialogue.

This push for reform highlights the critical state of social care, which is essential for supporting the most vulnerable members of society. The success of these talks and any subsequent reforms will depend on the ability of political parties to move beyond partisan differences and agree on a sustainable and effective path forward for the system.