Andy Burnham has called on Keir Starmer to fully embrace English devolution as a way to rebuild Labour’s support and reconnect with disillusioned communities. Writing in the Guardian, the Greater Manchester mayor argued that bringing power closer to people is a “potential gamechanger” for British politics and for the Labour party.
Burnham pointed to his own experience in Manchester, where devolution has allowed for innovative policies such as the A Bed Every Night homelessness scheme and a free bus pass for 16- to 18-year-olds. He said these ideas came from community members, not politicians, showing how local control can involve more people in decision-making.
The mayor urged Labour to ditch its “centralising instincts” and provide wholehearted support for devolution to city-region level. He suggested this could also help Labour regain ground in Scotland, where the SNP’s centralisation of power has left towns and cities in need of “levelling up”.
Burnham also advised Starmer to adopt bolder messaging, picking resonant themes like social care reform. He called for a commitment to provide social care on NHS terms with pay parity for care workers, arguing this could unite voters across identity lines.
