Andy Burnham has delivered his first major speech since Sir Keir Starmer's resignation last week, receiving a rapturous applause in Manchester. The Labour Party MP for Makerfield, widely anticipated to be Sir Keir's successor, spoke at the People's History Museum in Manchester on Monday, June 29, outlining his vision for the premiership.
Reindustrialisation and Economic Vision
Burnham pledged to support every region in setting clear industrial ambitions, encouraging partnerships like the one between Cambridge and Manchester on life sciences. He stated: "We will consolidate public and private investment at a place-based level and help all areas establish good growth funds, as we have done here in Greater Manchester." He criticised the past decade of political turbulence since Brexit and two decades of falling living standards since the 2008 financial crash, saying: "Westminster hasn't been working for people and it hasn't been working for a very long time. In fact, it is broken."
Business Rates Reform
As part of a 10-year mission to improve living standards, Burnham announced plans to reform business rates to support pubs and high street businesses. He said: "Rather than being a marker of decline, shouldn't we make our high streets the new symbol of Britain's renaissance?" He promised "good growth in every postcode, and hope in every heart" while avoiding risks with public finances.
Public Control of Utilities
Burnham stated: "We will ensure all parts of the UK are able to take greater public control of essential services like water, housing, energy and transport." Drawing on the model that transformed bus networks in Greater Manchester, he pledged 10-year plans to reduce the cost of these essentials. He emphasised the "Greater Manchester Way" of partnership across sectors, saying: "When I started as mayor in 2017, we set about building a new approach... Place first, not party first."
Reforming the Whips System
Burnham criticised the current whipping system, saying: "Power is not in the hands of those places that [MPs] represent, but held by an insufficiently accountable, outsourced state." He promised to let MPs be authentic representatives and not use the whip system to create fear or close down debate. He added: "I will build an inclusive team at the very highest level so that all parts of the party and the country can see themselves reflected."
Devolution and Whitehall Reform
Burnham declared: "The days of Whitehall fighting the devolution power into the regions and nations are over for good." He promised that Whitehall would be required to support local places, saying: "Ours will be a 10-year mission to raise living standards across the land." He highlighted the "Makerfield test" to ensure every postcode contributes to growth, calling for "the biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen."
Council House Building Programme
Burnham announced plans for "the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period," overseen by a newly created Number 10 North. He noted that Britain has lost almost 1.5 million council homes since the 1980s, with a similar number on housing waiting lists. He said: "Britain's housing crisis is having a ruinous impact on its public finances."
Number 10 North
Burnham proposed creating a prime minister's office based in Manchester, which he said would be "the biggest change in our lifetimes to the way the country is run." He explained: "The job of No 10 North will be to make power flow into the Midlands, into the South West, into the East of England and yes, into London."
Equivalent Living Conditions
Burnham pledged to coordinate all parts of government to agree a long-term economic strategy and strive for "equivalent living conditions in all parts of Britain," borrowing from German Basic Law. He called for place-based collaboration as the new operating principle for UK plc, requiring all government departments to support local authorities with staffing and resources.
