Andy Burnham has issued a promise to the people of Wales as his path to becoming the next leader of UK Labour and Prime Minister becomes clearer. The former Greater Manchester Mayor is so far the only MP who has announced their intention to stand to replace Keir Starmer as nominations open today. If no further nominees come forward with the support of 81 Labour MPs and the necessary number of affiliated groups before nominations close on July 15, he could be UK Prime Minister by Monday, July 20.
Burnham's Commitment to Wales
Mr Burnham has written a detailed opinion piece for WalesOnline in which he describes the role Wales has played in his and his family's lives, pledges to respect and learn from the decision of the Welsh public in May's election and describes how he will work with the Plaid government in Cardiff Bay led by Rhun ap Iorwerth.
The Makerfield MP, whose daughter is a student at Cardiff University, writes: "I feel incredibly lucky that Wales has played an important part in the lives of me and my family too, especially in more recent years. Every time I visit, I'm reminded of the warmth, generosity and strong sense of community that makes Wales so special."
"In fact, I'm very much looking forward to visiting Cardiff again next week for my daughter's graduation, but what is crystal clear to me is that you can't build trust with Wales by talking at Wales. You build it by listening first. If I'm asking for the privilege of serving as Prime Minister, that's where I'll start."
Respecting Devolution
Mr Burnham's new opinion piece focusing carefully on Wales comes after an earlier article circulated to a number of titles around the UK was criticised. Mr Burnham, 56, who was a minister in the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, said he would respect the devolution settlement which has given the Welsh government in Cardiff Bay powers over schools, hospitals, housing, transport and more - and ensure his officials did not treat it as an inconvenience.
He said: "If I become Prime Minister, my responsibility will be to work constructively with the minority Plaid Cymru administration. Not because we'll always agree, we won't, but because that's what respecting devolution means. I look forward to my next visit to the Senedd to begin that relationship in the right spirit."
"Westminster also needs to learn the language of partnership. It still talks as though it runs everything. It doesn't. Wales has its own Parliament, its own government and its own democratic mandate."
"Yet Whitehall has too often behaved as though that were a constitutional inconvenience. It isn't. It's the settled way our country now works, and I'll make sure everyone in my government understands, respects and reflects that."
Open to Further Devolution
Mr Burnham said he recognised that the people of Wales had sent a message to his party in May's Senedd election and renewal would not be quick. He said he agreed with interim Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates that powers should be devolved within Wales, not just to Wales. But he also indicated he was open to handing the Welsh Government more powers.
Mr Burnham said: "Devolution is not finished. That means offering new opportunities to extend devolution by taking power deeper down within Wales."
"There will also be further responsibilities that properly belong in Welsh hands, building on the further devolution already delivered over the last two years. This should always be done through respectful partnership and with the shared aim of strengthening both Wales and the wider United Kingdom."
Promise to the People of Wales
His piece concluded: "My promise to Wales is straightforward, I'll respect the devolution settlement. I'll support its continued development where it strengthens both Wales and the wider United Kingdom, and I'll support opportunities to extend devolution within Wales."
"I'll work constructively with the Welsh Government the people of Wales have elected. I'll support the leader of Welsh Labour as they begin to rebuild."
"But above all, I'll remember who politics is supposed to be for. Not governments, not institutions, not politicians. But the people who simply want a decent job, a safe home and a little confidence that tomorrow can be better than today."
