The United Kingdom lawmaker on course to become the country’s next prime minister in the coming days has said he wants his time in office to work as a “circuit-breaker” for the nation.
Andy Burnham, who was mayor of the English city of Manchester before launching his leadership challenge by securing election as a lawmaker on June 18, said in his first big speech since then that he plans to deliver “good growth in every postcode” of the UK and “across every nation and region”.
The charismatic former Cabinet minister has long been a popular Labour Party politician but left Parliament in 2017 to focus on regional politics.
Burnham, who describes himself as a socialist and who is widely seen as part of the ruling Labour Party’s soft left, was lured back into national politics after the party did poorly in local elections in May, which prompted criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his leadership style.
Starmer initially said he would resist any leadership challenge, but after resignations from his government, he has since announced his intention to step down once a replacement is found.
So far, Burnham is the only person seeking to replace him.
Burnham said during his major speech in Manchester on Monday that he plans to open a “Number 10 North” in the city, capitalizing on his popularity in the north of England and sentiment there that the southeast is disproportionately blessed with good-paying government jobs.
He also said government decision-making in general should be devolved to regions to drive local economic growth, explaining that could mean regional mayors gaining greater control over social housing, taxation, welfare and education.
He added that he plans to use his time in office to “lift Britain back up to where it should be”.
Saying he wants to “change politics to make it work for us”, Burnham also used his speech to promise to work to restore public trust in elected officials.
The Labour Party came to power almost two years ago, after a landslide general election victory that followed 14 years of Conservative rule. However, the party has since come under massive pressure from the far-right Reform UK, which has capitalized on fears around unregulated illegal immigration into the country.
Burnham’s speech outlined a 10-year “mission” to raise living standards nationwide through reindustrialization, new housing, improved infrastructure and upgraded utilities, but did not go into detail about how he would address mass immigration.
Burnham also said he plans to oversee efforts to reduce unemployment among young people.
If no other lawmaker launches a leadership bid, Burnham will become leader of the Labour Party and UK prime minister on July 20.
