Andy Burnham, the person widely expected to become the next prime minister, has set out a sweeping vision to transform Britain, promising the "biggest rebalancing of power our country has ever seen" to improve living standards and restore faith in politics. In a major speech at the People's History Museum in Manchester, Burnham declared that the current system is "broken" and that "more of the same" will not suffice to tackle the nation's challenges.
Key proposals include No 10 North and council housing boom
Burnham's blueprint includes establishing a "No 10 North" hub in Manchester to oversee the distribution of power and resources from Whitehall across the country, run by his former chief executive in Greater Manchester, Caroline Simpson. He also pledged the biggest council housing building programme since the postwar period and a high street "renaissance" through business rates reform. Additionally, he aims to rebalance the education system by putting academic and technical courses on an equal footing.
Burnham emphasised a long-term ambition for greater public control of essential services such as water, housing, energy, and transport to help curb the cost of living. He said his programme is backed by "the discipline that comes from sound public finances," reassuring that he would stick to Rachel Reeves's fiscal rules.
Cost-of-living relief and restoring hope
Hinting at early cost-of-living support, Burnham acknowledged that "people can't wait for ever for change" as many households struggle with bills. "People need a bit extra now to help with rising costs," he said. "I will do my very best to deliver it and, whilst not taking risks with the public finances, will seek to give Britain some breathing space as soon as I can. People need to be able to look forward to a night out or a holiday with the kids. People need hope."
Hope was a recurrent theme. Burnham questioned, "What hope can we have that it will be different this time?" and stated, "Westminster has not been working for people and it has not been working for a very long time. In fact, it is broken." He called for a new determination to raise living standards, warning, "We can't go through another decade like the one we just had."
Devolution and Whitehall reform
Burnham intends to remain living in his family home in Greater Manchester rather than in Downing Street, only residing in the flat above No 10 during the week. He suggested Whitehall has been "too adversarial" and declared, "The days of Whitehall fighting the devolution of power into the regions and nations are over for good." The No 10 North hub would be tasked with "striving for equivalent living conditions" in all parts of the country, potentially following the German model of fiscal equalisation.
Burnham also indicated he wants to change the culture of Westminster, allowing MPs to act as "authentic representatives" without fear of political retaliation, and would reach out to other parties to find common ground for his 10-year plan.
Reactions and polling
Snap polling by JR Partners, commissioned by the campaign group 38 Degrees, found that Burnham won agreement from Reform UK voters on regional devolution and utility control. Meanwhile, Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed confidence that Burnham will stick to the alliance's long-term spending commitments and recognise that rearmament can spur economic growth. Burnham said UK public procurement policy, including in defence, would focus on helping British-based companies, even if it costs taxpayers more.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch warned that the country is "headed for a summer of chaos" with the economy "left in limbo" due to lack of policy clarity from the "caretaker prime minister."
