Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has called for a radical overhaul of the way England is governed, proposing that regions be given sweeping new powers over transport, housing, and skills. In a speech delivered in Manchester on Tuesday, Burnham outlined a vision for a 'new settlement' that would see power devolved from Westminster to regional authorities, a move he argued is essential for economic growth and social justice.
Devolution as a Solution to Regional Inequality
Burnham's proposals come amid growing frustration with the centralisation of power in London and the South East, which he says has left many parts of England feeling 'left behind'. The Mayor's plan includes giving regions control over the rail network, allowing them to integrate bus and train services, and the power to set housing targets and build affordable homes. He also called for greater control over skills training, arguing that local leaders are best placed to understand the needs of their economies.
'The current system is broken,' Burnham said. 'We have a situation where decisions about our communities are made by people who have never visited them. It's time to trust the people of England to run their own affairs.'
Challenge to Keir Starmer's Leadership
The speech is widely seen as a challenge to Labour leader Keir Starmer, who has been cautious about embracing full-scale devolution. Burnham, a former Labour leadership contender, has positioned himself as a champion of regional empowerment, and his proposals could put pressure on Starmer to adopt a more radical agenda. However, Burnham insisted his comments were not a personal attack on Starmer, saying: 'This is not about individuals; it's about the future of our country.'
Political analysts have noted that Burnham's speech taps into a growing demand for local control, particularly in the North of England. A recent poll by YouGov found that 62% of people in the North West support more devolution, compared to 45% in London. 'There is a real appetite for change,' said Professor Tony Travers of the London School of Economics. 'Burnham is tapping into that, but he also risks alienating the Labour leadership if he is seen to be too critical.'
Reactions and Next Steps
The speech has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters of devolution, including some Conservative MPs, have praised Burnham's vision. 'He is absolutely right that we need to rebalance the economy,' said Conservative MP Jake Berry, a former Northern Powerhouse minister. 'But the devil is in the detail.' Critics, however, have warned that devolution could lead to a 'postcode lottery' of public services. Labour MP Lisa Nandy said: 'We need to ensure that devolution doesn't mean a race to the bottom. There must be national standards.'
Burnham has said he will now work with other metro mayors to develop a detailed proposal to present to the government. He called on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to commit to a 'devolution revolution' in the next parliament. 'The time for half-measures is over,' Burnham said. 'We need a bold, ambitious plan to give power back to the people.'
