Prime Minister Andy Burnham has delivered his first speech to the United Nations, using the address to highlight Manchester on four separate occasions. The 21-minute speech to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York also included a criticism of Russia, a new AI agreement with the US, and a 10-year plan for Britain.
Manchester References Throughout Address
Burnham mentioned 'Manchester' four times in total and referred to the 'north of England' as the birthplace of the industrial revolution. The city was mostly referenced when he spoke about the Abraham Lincoln statue outside Number 10 North, drawing on the example of millworkers who refused to handle cotton 'picked by slaves' during the American Civil War.
He said: "Count on us to fight racism, discrimination, and the abuse of power wherever we see it. Just as those Manchester cotton workers did in the 19th century, and the country did in the fight against fascism in the 20th century."
Mancunian Roots in Policy Plans
Other pledges in the speech, including a 10-year plan to tackle youth unemployment, are rooted in his time as mayor. Just over a year ago, he launched the Greater Manchester Strategy, which promised to get more jobseekers back into work by taking over Job Centres under the Live Well banner and improving vocational skills with the MBacc.
Burnham's creation of the Number 10 North office, appointment of key mayoral figures to his government, and proposed 'Makerfield Test' are seen as evidence he is thinking of Mancunians while in Downing Street. His address was his first major international test since becoming Prime Minister.
