In a major speech, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham argued that rewiring Britain demands that Westminster give up real power, not merely reshuffle responsibilities. He called for a fundamental shift in how the UK is governed, with more authority devolved to regions and cities.
Burnham's vision for a new settlement
Burnham outlined a plan for a “new constitutional settlement” that would see powers over transport, housing, skills, and health moved from Whitehall to local leaders. He criticised the current system as overly centralised, stifling innovation and failing to address regional inequalities.
“We need to move from a system where Westminster decides everything to one where local communities have real control over their own destinies,” Burnham said. He emphasised that this is not about administrative tweaks but about a genuine transfer of authority, including fiscal powers to raise and spend money locally.
Critique of centralised governance
The mayor pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a stark example of centralisation’s flaws, where local leaders were often sidelined. He argued that the government’s “levelling up” agenda will fail unless it involves giving up power, not just distributing funds from the centre.
Burnham’s speech comes amid growing calls from metro mayors and combined authorities for more autonomy. He warned that without real devolution, the UK will remain one of the most centralised countries in the developed world, with damaging consequences for economic growth and public services.
Reactions and implications
The speech has been met with support from Labour colleagues and some Conservative MPs who favour localism. However, it also highlights tensions within the government, where some ministers are reluctant to cede control. Burnham’s proposal includes elected regional assemblies and a reformed House of Lords, but he stressed that the key is a change in mindset in Westminster.
“The biggest obstacle is the belief in Whitehall that they know best,” he said. “We need to trust people in their communities to make decisions for themselves.”
