The recent Gorton and Denton by-election has starkly exposed the profound disconnect between Westminster politics and the everyday concerns of ordinary people, according to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. In a keynote speech delivered at a Centre for Cities event in London, Burnham emphasised that the electoral outcome serves as a critical wake-up call for the political establishment.
A Political Earthquake in a Labour Stronghold
The by-election, held last Thursday, delivered a seismic shock as the Green Party's candidate, Hannah Spencer, secured victory in the constituency, which was historically a Labour stronghold. Labour finished in a distant third place, trailing behind Reform UK, which claimed second. This result underscores a significant erosion of traditional party loyalties and voter confidence.
Burnham's Critique of Westminster Focus
Andy Burnham, who was notably overlooked by the Labour Party's ruling body as its candidate for the seat, argued that the by-election demonstrates Westminster's failure to address the priorities of the public. "It revealed the full depth of the chasm between people and Westminster politics," Burnham stated unequivocally. "I don't think anybody can seriously dispute that statement."
He pointed to polling data from More in Common, which found a majority of citizens believe the cost-of-living crisis will never end, describing this sentiment as a "code red for Westminster politics." Burnham warned, "This is getting extremely dangerous, and change in our political system and culture is desperately needed."
Call for Systemic Reform and Devolution
Beyond critiquing the current political climate, Burnham used the platform to advocate for substantial systemic reform, particularly through enhanced devolution. He called for a "serious conversation about our political system and its pervading culture," stressing that the time for such dialogue is now.
Expanding Devolution Across the UK
Burnham proposed that city regions within Scotland and Wales should be granted their own devolved powers and responsibilities, extending beyond those currently held by the devolved national governments. He criticised a pervasive culture in Westminster of reluctance to cede control, questioning, "What is the rationale for Westminster hanging on to all of the power over those things when clearly they can't do it from where they are?"
Expressing frustration with the bureaucratic hurdles, Burnham added, "Honestly, I'm getting to the point where I just refuse to spend any more of my working week making the case to Whitehall for more devolved powers, because I spent way too much of my time doing that. Why aren't they just looking at the evidence, getting behind us and getting on with it? It just makes you think they don't actually want growth everywhere."
Personal Reflections and Future Directions
During his address, Burnham briefly touched on his personal career trajectory, noting that while he co-authored a book titled Head North with Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram about devolution, a sequel, Head South, is currently on hold. He clarified, "I'm definitely not here to talk about my career plans," instead focusing the discussion on broader political reforms.
The mayor's comments highlight a growing sentiment that the centralised political model in Westminster is increasingly out of touch with regional needs and public demands. The Gorton by-election result, with its unexpected victory for the Greens and poor showing for Labour, serves as a potent symbol of this widening gap, prompting calls for urgent action to reconnect politics with the people it serves.
