Ex-Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham – who is expected to take over in No10 as soon as July 20 – vowed to create a No10 North based in Manchester to redistribute power across the country
Andy Burnham today promised a “new era of possibility” in his first speech since he effectively became PM-in-waiting.
The ex-Greater Manchester mayor – who is expected to take over in No10 as soon as July 20 – vowed to create a No10 North based in Manchester to redistribute power across the country.
He said under his leadership he would take “power out of the centre” and put it “in the hands of the people and places who can use it best”.
In a speech at People’s History Museum in Manchester, Mr Burnham – wearing his trademark T-shirt – set out a ten-year mission to raise living standards, pledging the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period and greater public control of utilities like water, housing, energy and transport.
Mr Burnham – who has long championed devolution of power – said No10 North will be a northern branch of the Prime Minister’s office and will serve as the “nerve centre of a rewired Britain”.
He said: “I am going to give Britain the circuit breaker it needs by building a more collaborative politics in Westminster, by taking power out of the centre and putting it in the hands of the people and places who can use it best.
“And in so doing, creating a new sense of agency, possibility and hope flowing around the country. We will make politics work for you and the place where you live.”
Mr Burnham continued: “No10 North will be the nerve centre of a rewired Britain. It will be the conduit through which we redistribute power and resources across the UK. It will co-ordinate all parts of government at national and local level to agree a long term economic strategy and help all places set new growth ambitions.
“It will be given a mission to strive for equivalent living conditions in all parts of Britain, borrowing from the German Basic Law.”
In a message of hopes to struggling families, he said: “Imagine if we could bring down the cost of energy for people and businesses, and the good things that would come from that.
“Imagine good growth in every postcode and hope in every heart. I’ll say it again: Imagine good growth in every postcode and hope in every heart. Well, imagine no more. Let’s make it happen.” The Mirror takes a look at some of the key points from his speech.
Mr Burnham is widely expected to become Prime Minister without the need for an official leadership contest. Keir Starmer resigned last week after losing faith in his MPs.
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