Future Prime Minister Andy Burnham to handle the nation in the present day with ’10-year mission’ speech
Labour leadership frontrunner Andy Burnham is expected to set out plans for devolution and economic policy, including a flagship proposal to create a “No 10” in the North and ambitions for “good growth in every postcode”
Burnham will address the nation
Andy Burnham will vow to deliver Britain the “circuit-breaker it needs” in a major address revealing his blueprint for devolution and the economy with aspirations for a decade of Labour rule. The Makerfield MP will announce a flagship scheme to establish a “No 10” in the North and goals for “good growth in every postcode” with what supporters describe as the largest shift of power from Whitehall in modern history.
In a signal he intends to contest and secure at least two general elections, the Labour leadership contender will outline a “10-year mission” to boost living standards through reindustrialisation, housing, infrastructure and overhaul of key utilities.
In an address in Manchester on Monday, the former metro mayor will demand decision-making be returned to local communities as part of his vision to “lift Britain back up”.
Mr Burnham, who worked as a minister and on the Opposition frontbench before becoming a regional mayor in 2017, will argue his generation of politicians – himself included – must accept responsibility for the erosion of public confidence in politics.
He is anticipated to pledge public procurement reform which will focus on “buying British” in an effort to revitalise industry and in turn deliver greater “social value” through work placements and apprenticeships. Education reforms are also on the cards, with the aim of achieving what his team call “true parity” between academic and technical education – a balance that outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also prioritised during his time in office.
A long-time advocate for devolution, Mr Burnham is set to outline plans to stimulate economic growth by granting regional mayors greater control over social housing, welfare and post-16 education, as reported by The Times.
He is believed to be keen for local leaders to take a more active role in helping young people transition off benefits, having spoken to Alan Milburn, who is conducting a review into unemployment among 16-to-24-year-olds, according to the newspaper.
Such an agenda aligns with the views he expressed in his book, Head North, co-authored with his friend and fellow mayor Steve Rotheram.
In the book, he criticised the current system which sees regional leaders going “on bended knee” to Westminster, calling instead for a “more balanced approach, where councils and mayors were dealt some cards too”.
Mr Burnham is also expected to reveal plans to relocate part of his prime ministerial operation to the North of England, in a bid to decentralise power from Whitehall and distribute it across the regions, creating a “No 10 North.”
If the former Greater Manchester mayor remains unopposed for the Labour leadership, his speech will come exactly three weeks before he steps foot in Downing Street.
High-ranking Labour figures have asserted that the party is united behind the leadership favourite and have ruled out the possibility of a general election to secure backing for any significant policy changes.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed suggested that Sir Keir’s probable successor would bring about “changes in emphasis” but adhere to the “fundamentals” such as the Government’s borrowing rules.
Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell stated that the newly-elected MP had developed a “clear sense of purpose” and insisted people wanted the party to “get on with the job” of governing.
Mr Burnham bucked national trends to boost Labour’s vote share in the Makerfield by-election this month following its calamitous local election results in May, which amplified calls for Sir Keir’s resignation.
However, the party has consistently dipped in the polls for months and political rivals have called for a general election to coincide with the change in leader as speculation grows about his policy platform.
