Andy Burnham has set out his economic and political blueprint for Britain, promising 'good growth in every postcode' through a significant transfer of power from Whitehall to local communities. In a speech at the People's History Museum in Manchester, the Labour figure outlined plans for greater regional devolution, public ownership of utilities, and an end to trickle-down economics.
Burnham, who is widely seen as a potential future prime minister, criticised the UK's status as the most centralised G7 country for tax and spending policy, contributing to high economic inequality. He proposed a new hub for Number 10 in Manchester to redistribute power across regions, with sweeping powers on tax, skills, and industry devolved by default, rather than local areas having to apply to Whitehall.
The former mayor also suggested a German-style Basic Law to guarantee equal living standards across the country. He emphasised the need for radical change, stating that 'all parts of the UK should now be given the chance to develop focusing on the things that most matter to them.'
On parliamentary reform, Burnham promised to empower backbenchers and avoid using the whip system to create fear or close down debate. He also expressed interest in splitting up the Treasury, echoing past critiques of Whitehall as a drag on growth from figures like Harold Wilson and Dominic Cummings.
Burnham's economic vision rejects the trickle-down model pursued since the 1980s, aligning with recent shifts in Western economies after the 2008 financial crisis. He pledged to expand the role of the state in essential services, housing, and industrial strategy, including greater public control over water, energy, and transport.
