Andy Burnham will not take questions from journalists following his first major speech today (Monday), a decision that has drawn criticism for dodging scrutiny. The Makerfield MP, who is on course to become prime minister in three weeks, is delivering a speech at the People’s History Museum in Manchester, setting out a radical plan to shift decision-making power away from Whitehall.
Speech Details and Reactions
Burnham will argue this represents the biggest transfer of power to England’s regions in modern times, calling for a fundamental reset in how Britain is governed. However, Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice accused Burnham of avoiding accountability, stating: “No debate in Parliament. No scrutiny from MPs until September. Power without accountability.”
In contrast, Sir Tony Blair’s former spin doctor Alastair Campbell defended the move, calling it a “good move” for Burnham not to subject himself to media questions. “Speeches matter and when important should speak for themselves,” Campbell said. “If and when he becomes PM, Burnham will be answerable to Parliament, not the showbiz-style media coverage of politics.”
Policy Proposals
In the speech, Burnham is expected to call for a move away from a centralised, top-down model towards “good growth in every postcode,” with local leaders given greater control over economic development, investment, and public services. He will outline a 10-year plan to raise living standards through reindustrialisation, housing, infrastructure, and reform of essential utilities.
Burnham will also set out how he will “give Britain the circuit-breaker it needs,” signalling his intention to shift more power away from Westminster to “lift Britain back up to where it should be.”
No 10 in the North
On Saturday, the Manchester Evening News reported on Burnham’s plans to create a “No 10 in the North.” One interim location option could be the new Manchester Digital Campus at the former Toys ‘R’ Us retail store in Ancoats. In March, Chancellor Rachel Reeves gave the green light for the site, which will house 8,800 civil servants, dubbed the “Whitehall of the North.” An estimated 4,900 jobs will be created during construction of the Digital Campus.
Those working at the campus will serve various government departments with a focus on digital work. The speech will also call for a new political culture focused on “place before party, problem-solving before point-scoring and long-term thinking over short-term politics.”
Leadership Timeline
If no other candidate emerges for the Labour leadership, Burnham is expected to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as head of the party on July 17 and become prime minister on July 20. This timing means MPs will have left Westminster for the summer, so Burnham will not face Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons until September.
