Andy Burnham will pledge the biggest devolution of power in England in modern times in his first major speech since confirming his bid to succeed Keir Starmer as UK prime minister. The former Greater Manchester mayor, now a newly elected MP, is on course to become prime minister as soon as July 17 if no other challenger emerges. His speech in Manchester promises to “lift Britain back up” by handing more decision-making powers to local authorities, overhauling procurement to boost British jobs, and tackling youth unemployment. Burnham is popular with voters, having won his by-election more emphatically than expected, and supporters hope he can repair Labour’s fortunes as it lags behind Reform UK in national polls.
However, critics argue Burnham will face the same obstacles that limited Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who also promised housing, infrastructure, and job creation with limited results. Reeves recently declared she had “unfinished business” on tax-raising powers for local leaders, seen as an attempt to align with Burnham. Key pledges include “good growth in every postcode,” a “No. 10 North” to drive devolution, a 10-year mission to raise living standards, and education reform emphasizing parity between academic and technical training. YouGov polling shows 35% of Britons think devolving more powers to regional mayors would improve governance, compared to 13% who think it would worsen it.
Senior Labour figures insist the party is united behind Burnham and dismiss calls for a general election to secure a mandate for his platform. Housing Secretary Steve Reed said the public does not want an election and wants the government to “get on with the job.” The Conservative opposition accused Burnham of avoiding key issues like welfare reform, tax cuts, and defense funding. What to watch next: Whether Burnham can translate devolution pledges into tangible results quickly, and whether internal Labour unity holds as he navigates the same economic constraints that plagued his predecessor.
Key Takeaways
- Burnham’s devolution plan is the most sweeping in modern English history, but faces the same structural barriers that limited Starmer.
- He could become prime minister by July 17 if unchallenged, yet Labour still trails Reform UK in national polls.
- Public support for devolution is modest, with only 35% believing it would improve governance.
- Labour is resisting a general election, betting voters want stability over a new mandate.
Insights & Analysis
- Burnham’s pitch repositions Labour as a party of local empowerment, potentially undercutting Reform UK’s anti-Westminster appeal.
- The success of his premiership hinges on whether he can deliver on housing and infrastructure promises without the fiscal headroom Starmer lacked.