Waltz your manner into No.10 with no vote like Andy Burnham – with our free ‘Handy’ Andy masks
Andy Burnham is set for the most fuss-free coronation as Prime Minister in living memory. The newly minted Makerfield MP could find himself installed in Number 10 in time to see England win the World Cup on July 19.
He is unlikely to even have to win a vote to get the top job in the land. They don’t call him the ‘King’ of the North for nothing…
But Andy’s ascent has been so stratospheric it’s left our top bods at Daily Star HQ scratching their heads as to how he’s managed it. But we think we’ve finally cracked how you too can repeat this unparalleled Spin-derella story….just wear one of ‘Handy’ Andy masks and knock on the door of Number 10. They’re unlikely to turn you away!
Andy’s big plan
Andy Burnham has vowed to lead a decade-long plan to transform Britain by transferring power out of Whitehall.
The King of the North will give regions the ability to control essential utilities, transport and housing as part of a “10-year mission” to raise living standards.
He promised to set a “new direction” for the UK with an outpost of 10 Downing Street based in Manchester.
The PM-in-waiting gave his first major speech since Sir Keir Starmer announced he would be leaving Downing Street.
He also promised proposals on youth employment in order to “lift Britain back up to where it should be”.
Speaking in Manchester, the Makerfield MP said the Westminster system was “broken” and “as a result, the country isn’t where it should be”.
“It is stuck in a rut, and clearly we can’t go on like this,” he said.
“Let me say this very directly: the days of Whitehall fighting the devolution of power into the regions and nations are over for good.”
The No 10 North operation would be the “nerve centre of a rewired Britain”, redistributing power and resources across the UK, Mr Burnham said.
And it would oversee the “biggest council house building programme since the post war period”.
He vowed the proposals would bring about the “biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen”.
Mr Burnham promised his measures would be based on “the stability that comes from sound public finances” and “the discipline of our current fiscal rules”.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Actions will speak louder than words – but this is the start of a discussion about a better path for workers and communities.
“His promise to re-industrialise our regions and nations with support for UK steel, defence, energy, food and agriculture is much needed.”
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said Mr Burnham’s commitment to back British industry, creating jobs and boosting skills “needs to be delivered at pace”.
But Dr John Puntis, co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public campaign group, warned that accepting current fiscal rules is “willingly donning a straitjacket” that will prevent change.
Confederation of British Industry chief executive Rain Newton-Smith said businesses could get behind Mr Burnham.
But she warned “proposals for greater intervention in markets such as transport and utilities must avoid deterring investment”.
Mr Burnham could become prime minister on July 20 if he is the only contender to replace Sir Keir as Labour leader.
No snap election but he is a snappy dresser
Our features editor Meg Jorsh wasn’t too impressed by the next leader’s dad fashions.
Meg said: “He’s virtually nailed-on to be our next PM – so how come Andy Burnham is still dressing like a student on a first date?
“Just look at the outfit he wore yesterday. It’s a classic black suit but he’d never go for anything as stuffy as a button-down shirt.
“No, the Makerfield MP’s a T-shirt guy. He just threw that on. It’s purely a coincidence, how perfectly it matches said two-piece, not to mention his suede shoes.
“What seems obvious is that the King of the North thinks much harder about these things than he’d care to admit…”
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