In exactly three weeks, Andy Burnham is expected to become the UK's new Prime Minister, and today he will set out his vision in a speech at the People's History Museum in Manchester. The former Mayor of Greater Manchester will focus on devolution, pledging to change how the UK is governed.
What is devolution?
Devolution is the process of transferring powers from central government to regional or local bodies. A notable example followed Tony Blair's 1997 election, creating devolved legislatures in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. These bodies control areas like education and health, while Westminster retains immigration and defence, and can veto decisions as it did with Scotland's gender recognition reform bill in 2023.
In England, combined authorities have seen smaller-scale devolution over the past 15 years. Burnham aims to accelerate this, arguing regions should make more decisions affecting them.
Burnham's devolution platform
Burnham, who stepped down as Greater Manchester Mayor nearly two weeks ago, is a strong advocate for spreading power. In his 2024 book Head North, co-written with Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram, he calls for a 'federal UK' similar to the US or Germany. He writes that the UK must 'complete the process of devolving power out of Westminster to all parts of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland' to allow regions to do more for themselves.
Today, Burnham will say replacing the 'centralised, top-down model' with local focus will bring 'good growth in every postcode'. The Labour Party's 2024 manifesto promised to 'transfer power out of Westminster, and into our communities, with landmark devolution legislation'. The government has already passed the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 to devolve more powers.
Impact and risks
Communities Secretary Steve Reed said Burnham would put 'rocket boosters' under devolution started by Sir Keir Starmer. This would also empower Reform mayors in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire, and Conservative mayors in Tees Valley and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. However, it risks voters blaming Burnham if local bodies struggle with new responsibilities.
Burnham's central idea is to reshape UK governance, and he will be hoping his plans succeed.
