Andy Burnham, British member of parliament (MP) for Makerfield, delivers a speech at the People's History Museum in Manchester, Britain on Monday.Temilade Adelaja/Reuters
Former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who is poised to become Britain’s next prime minister, has outlined plans for sweeping changes to how Britain is governed and promised to set up a prime minister’s office in the northern city.
In a speech on Monday in Manchester, where he served as mayor for nearly a decade, Mr. Burnham said he would bring about “the biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen” and launch a 10-year mission to raise living standards in every region.
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“Imagine good growth in every postcode and hope in every heart. Well, imagine no more. Let’s make it happen,” he told a group of supporters at the city’s People’s History Museum.
Mr. Burnham, 56, has quickly emerged as the only candidate to replace Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader and prime minister.
After winning a parliamentary by-election on June 18 by a wide margin, Mr. Burnham signalled he would challenge Mr. Starmer’s leadership. Mr. Starmer had been under pressure to resign for months from Labour MPs. He finally succumbed last week and announced he will step down as soon as a new leader is chosen.
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer listens to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at 10 Downing Street in London, on Monday.Alberto Pezzali/Reuters
That could happen as early as July 16 when nominations for the leadership close. If no other candidates come forward, Mr. Burnham will win by acclamation and he’ll be sworn in as prime minister within a few days.
He’s already being referred to as Britain’s prime minister-in-waiting, but his rapid ascent has raised questions about his priorities.
During his time as mayor, Mr. Burnham won plaudits for reforming the city’s bus system by bringing it under public ownership. But he has also faced criticism for failing to tackle homelessness and for flip-flopping on issues.
On Monday, he took several indirect shots at Mr. Starmer and his predecessors, telling the crowd that the government “hasn’t been working for people and it hasn’t been working for a very long time.” As a result, he added, “the country isn’t where it should be. It is stuck in a rut. And clearly we can’t go on like this.”
He promised to bring “Manchesterism” to the rest of Britain. It’s “a vision for good growth and a rejection of the old trickle down model,” he said.
He also vowed to turn over more power to local governments, increase spending on public housing and reform the welfare system. “We will create a more streamlined state with a clearer purpose to power up all parts of the country,” he said.
Despite varying efforts to redistribute power, Britain is still one of the most centralized countries in Europe. Less than 6 per cent of all tax revenue is raised locally, which is about half the average of the 38 countries that belong to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Economists say the country’s centralization has stifled growth and led to increased regional inequality.
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On Monday Mr. Burnham promised that regional authorities would be given greater control over essential services such as water, housing, energy and transport. That could pave the way for more public ownership of privately-held utilities such as Thames Water, Britain’s largest water supplier, which has struggled financially for years.
He also said he would set up a “No. 10 North” in Manchester, a reference to the prime minister’s office at 10 Downing Street in London. “The change will be the biggest change in our lifetimes to the way the country is run,” he said.
In a nod to critics who argue he is too far left and would spook financial markets, Mr. Burnham said he would abide by fiscal rules set out by Mr. Starmer’s government. “I won’t take risks with the public finances,” he said.
Mr. Burnham offered few details and declined to answer questions from reporters. His officials said he was pressed for time but Mr. Burnham has been unwilling so far to be questioned at length about his policies.
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Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said Mr. Burnham’s plans would face “harsh contact with reality” and she predicted a “summer of chaos” if he takes over from Mr. Starmer.
Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, welcomed Mr. Burnham’s commitment to greater devolution of power, but he said whoever becomes prime minister won’t have much time.
“The proof will be in the pudding,’ Mr. Davey said. Mr. Burnham would have ”a very short window to turn this government around, end the chaos and deliver the change he has promised."