Andy Burnham is preparing to make his first big pitch for Downing Street with a promise to move power out of Whitehall and deliver what he is expected to call “good growth in every postcode”.
The Makerfield MP, who is on course to replace Keir Starmer as UK prime minister in about three weeks, will use a speech in Manchester on Monday to argue that Britain needs a different way of governing, not only a different leader.
Burnham is expected to say he wants more decisions taken by regions and communities, with local leaders given more control over economic growth. He is understood to be considering giving local authorities powers over some taxes, including business rates.
The plan follows his victory in the Makerfield byelection and his return to Westminster after years as Greater Manchester mayor. Burnham is expected to say he wants to “lift Britain back up to where it should be” and “give Britain the circuit-breaker it needs”.
His allies argue that devolution can help close gaps between regions by giving towns and cities more say over housing, infrastructure, utilities and local industry. Burnham has previously called for every part of the UK to have its own devolved settlement and for regions to elect mayors if they choose.
But not all Labour MPs are relaxed. Some remain concerned that Burnham is underprepared for government, while others are watching for clues about who he would choose as chancellor. Ed Miliband is still reported to be the frontrunner for the Treasury, though Shabana Mahmood, Wes Streeting, Yvette Cooper and John Healey have also been discussed, The Guardian reported.
Burnham’s team says he has not made a final decision on the Treasury job. Steve Reed, the communities secretary, said Burnham would stick to Labour’s 2024 manifesto fundamentals, including the fiscal rules, but there would be a “shift in emphasis and focus”.
