Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has thrown down a formidable challenge to Sir Keir Starmer ahead of this weekend's pivotal Labour conference, demanding nothing less than a radical redistribution of power away from Westminster.
The Devolution Ultimatum
In a bold intervention that sets the stage for a crucial political showdown, Burnham declared that "rhetoric alone won't cut it" when it comes to empowering England's regions. The high-profile Labour figure, often tipped as a future party leader, insisted that Starmer must deliver tangible constitutional reforms rather than mere promises.
"What we need to see from a Labour government is a fundamental shift in how power is distributed across our country," Burnham asserted in an exclusive interview. "The current system concentrates too much in London and leaves communities across the North and Midlands feeling disconnected from decisions that affect their daily lives."
Beyond Token Gestures
Burnham's challenge comes at a critical juncture for Labour, with the party enjoying substantial poll leads but facing pressure to demonstrate how it would govern differently. The Manchester mayor emphasised that previous devolution agreements had been "too limited, too conditional" and called for a new approach based on trust rather than Whitehall micromanagement.
"We've seen what happens when you give regions real tools to transform their economies and public services," Burnham continued, referencing his own experience navigating complex devolution settlements. "But we're constantly having to go back to London with begging bowls for permissions that should be ours by right."
The Northern Powerhouse Question
The intervention raises fundamental questions about Labour's commitment to its traditional northern heartlands and whether Starmer's team has fully grasped the depth of feeling about regional inequality. Burnham's carefully timed remarks suggest concern that Labour might settle for cosmetic changes rather than the structural reforms many northern leaders believe are necessary.
With Conservative attempts to create a "Northern Powerhouse" widely viewed as incomplete and underfunded, Burnham's challenge presents Starmer with both an opportunity and a risk. Embracing radical devolution could energise Labour's base in former "red wall" areas, but might also alarm more cautious elements within the party apparatus.
What's at Stake for Labour
As Labour gathers for what could be its final conference before taking power, Burnham's message is clear: the party must decide whether it genuinely believes in redistributing political power as well as wealth. The coming days will reveal whether Starmer welcomes this challenge as constructive pressure or views it as an unwelcome distraction from his disciplined election campaign strategy.
One thing is certain: the debate about England's constitutional future, long simmering beneath surface-level political discussions, is about to take centre stage at the most important Labour conference in over a decade.
