West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has thrown his support behind Labour leadership hopeful Andy Burnham, praising his understanding of regions like the West Midlands and his commitment to devolution. In a speech on Monday, the newly elected Makerfield MP outlined his vision to replace Sir Keir Starmer, promising to shift power from London to metro mayors.
Shared Industrial Heritage
Mr Parker, who attended the speech, highlighted Mr Burnham's grasp of the challenges faced by communities in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester. 'I think the speech showed Andy understands places like ours,' Mr Parker said. 'That might sound obvious, but the communities around Manchester and the communities around the West Midlands have lived the same story. They were built by the industrial revolution. They were hit hard by the changes of the Thatcher years. Then they went fourteen years without the investment they needed – being hit hardest by austerity.'
Understanding Local Needs
Mr Parker emphasised that Mr Burnham's experience as Greater Manchester Mayor gives him unique insight. 'Andy has spent his time as Mayor close to all of that, so when he talks about these places, he isn't reading from a brief – he knows them. That's his real strength. He has spent years on the things people actually feel. Whether the bus turns up and what it costs you. Whether the high street is alive or half boarded up. He has shown what it looks like when a leader starts from the place they are in and works up, instead of starting in Whitehall and working down.'
Devolution as a Solution
A Prime Minister who trusts mayors to deliver would be good news for the region, Mr Parker argued. 'Because what people want here is simpler than the Westminster debate makes it sound actually. They want a bus that turns up on time and doesn't cost a fortune. A town centre worth walking into on a Saturday, with the shops open and some life in it. And a real way into a decent job and a good wage, whether that's a college course or an apprenticeship that actually leads somewhere.'
Centralisation in the UK
Mr Parker noted that the UK remains one of the most centralised countries in the developed world. 'Less than £5 in every £100 of tax is handed to regional government here, when in Germany it's closer to a third. A Prime Minister serious about devolution would push more of those levers towards mayors.' He stressed that mayors are the 'delivery arm of government' and that Burnham's message was clear: 'It's about devolution yes. But it's also about place. More control over our buses. More say over the future of our town centres. And skills money decided here in the West Midlands, rather than signed off in a Whitehall office that has never even set foot in Wolverhampton.'
Test of Leadership
The West Midlands Mayor concluded that the test for a new Prime Minister is simple: 'What actually changes for the person standing at the bus stop, or walking through their town centre on a Saturday morning? We need a PM who gets that – and I think the speech reflected that.'
