Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary and a key ally of Andy Burnham, has outlined two immediate changes she expects under his premiership. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, Nandy stated that Burnham's government would be "faster and bolder" and more emotionally open, wearing "our hearts on our sleeves."
Burnham's Path to Power
Andy Burnham is poised to become the next UK prime minister after securing nominations from 322 Labour MPs to succeed Sir Keir Starmer. His return to parliament was cemented by a decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election, making his journey to the Labour leadership uncontested. Since becoming an MP again, Burnham has revealed plans to relocate some government operations to Manchester, aiming to establish a "Number 10 in the North" if he becomes PM.
Burnham, who served as Mayor of Greater Manchester from 2017 until his by-election win in June, has long criticised London-centric politics. He reportedly told staff he expects to spend considerable time in Manchester even as prime minister.
Two Key Changes
When asked about the changes Burnham would bring, Nandy highlighted two distinct shifts. "The first is that it will be faster and bolder, and he's willing to think very differently about how we deliver that change," she said. "Number 10 for the North has attracted a lot of interest, but that really is about shifting the centre of gravity in the country so that all parts of the country are seen and heard."
"The second thing that I think will be different is that I think we will wear our hearts on our sleeves more. I think people will see us taking the fight to any system that stands in the way of them living better lives," Nandy added. She emphasised the importance of restoring trust in government, which she described as "very weak" at present.
Defence Funding Commitment
Pressed on the funding shortfall for the Defence Investment Plan outlined by outgoing PM Sir Keir Starmer, Nandy confirmed Burnham is committed to funding UK defence. "It's obviously a challenge because we've seen defence spending falling for several decades now," she said. "But given the situation that we find ourselves in, we know that we need to do more."
Nandy noted that Starmer chose to fund defence from existing spending, but added, "There are other options available as well. I haven't discussed it in any detail with Andy Burnham, but I know he will want to look at that and make his own choices." She expressed confidence that defence funding would not be a question, only the method.
No Job Promises Yet
Nandy also revealed that Burnham has not offered any ministerial jobs, including to her as Culture Secretary. "Often in leadership contests, you have people who have to make promises, they have to horse-trade," she said. "Andy is in an almost unique position in that he hasn't had to do that because he commands overwhelming support in the Parliamentary Labour Party."
BBC Licence Fee Future
On the BBC licence fee, Nandy described it as "unsustainable in its current form." She explained, "There are fewer and fewer people paying it. You've got two options: you can either allow the BBC to go into a period of managed decline, or you can ask people to pay more, which in a cost-of-living crisis is extremely difficult."
"The only option that we've ruled out completely is funding the BBC through general taxation because of the risk of political interference," she said. "What is not negotiable is that we will fund the BBC properly. What is up for negotiation is how we do that, because it has to be sustainable and it has to command public support."
