US Vice-President JD Vance has described Britain as an “amazing country” that has “been failed by its leadership for a long time”. In an interview, Vance voiced hope that Andy Burnham, widely expected to become the next British prime minister, would deliver the “significant structural change” that Britons are “crying out for”.
Vance criticises UK political instability
Vance pointed to the rapid turnover of British prime ministers in recent years, noting: “What I see is six prime ministers in the last few years. What that says to me is that something is very broken about British politics and that people are really crying out for significant structural change.” He added: “I hope that Andy Burnham – and if not Andy Burnham, somebody else – is able to deliver it. Because Britain is such a beautiful country, such an amazing place.”
The US Vice-President also insisted that Donald Trump was ready to work with “whoever is the prime minister” and called Britain “one of our closest and most important allies”.
Burnham's No 10 North plans backed by Labour deputy
Meanwhile, deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell has endorsed Burnham’s radical plans for a “No 10 North” in Manchester, saying it will spark a “very powerful reorganisation of government”. Burnham has argued that moving the prime minister’s base to Manchester will drive devolution of powers across the nation.
Powell, the Manchester MP, explained that a “horses for courses” approach to devolution would be adopted. She stated: “We have a particular economy here that began in computing and digital, for example. We’ve got a real knowledge economy here, advanced manufacturing as part of that too. Other places have got an economy that maybe is built around nuclear power or shipbuilding or renewable energy or an economy built around a university or different things. So it’s not a one size fits all and that’s the whole point about putting place first and giving places the power to set out their own long-term vision of their area and bring in the investment.”
Burnham beats Farage in poll
In a recent political test, Burnham outperformed Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in a poll asking voters who they would most like to have a pint with. The Labour MP secured 34% of the vote, compared to 28% for Farage, who is often photographed with a cigarette and a beer in hand.
