Burnham latest: Makerfield MP vows to ‘lift Britain back up’ with radical 10-year plan to raise living standards

Burnham latest: Makerfield MP vows to ‘lift Britain back up’ with radical 10-year plan to raise living standards The former mayor of Greater Manchester will make the case for devolution and argue that Britain needs a ‘circuit breaker’ - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Andy Burnham will pledge to “lift Britain back up” with “good growth in every postcode”, delivered through devolution, in his first major speech since returning to Westminster. The former Greater Manchester mayor, who will almost certainly replace Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister next month, will make the case for a radical transfer of power away from London and call for decision-making to be pushed back into local communities in a speech in Manchester on Monday. Mr Burnham, who is a long-standing proponent of devolution, will outline the “biggest transfer of power out of Whitehall in modern times”, at the centre of which would be the introduction of a 'No10 North', reportedly to be based in Manchester, to coordinate economic policy. His address will come one week after he was sworn in as an MP following his victory in Makerfield. Meanwhile, Mr Burnham continues to mull his future cabinet. Rachel Reeves appears to have conceded she will no longer be staying on as chancellor, with several senior ministers including home secretary Shabana Mahmood and energy secretary Ed Miliband reportedly in the running to succeed her. 'The public do not want a general election' says Steve Reed Profile - Andy Burnham: The ‘King of the North’ who looks set to become Britain’s next prime minister Who is Mr Burnham, and how did he come to be the frontrunner to become the next prime minister? Who is Andy Burnham? ‘King of the North’ set to become the next prime minister Tories name candidate aiming to replace Andy Burnham as Greater Manchester mayor The Conservative Party on Sunday announced Trafford councillor Phil Eckersley as its candidate to be the next Greater Manchester mayor. The local businessman was confirmed as their runner on Sunday and he will go up against Labour’s Bev Craig, the leader of Manchester City Council, as well as the Green Party’s Geraldine Coggins, who is also a Trafford councillor. Labour has pitched it as a two-party race against Reform UK, who made sweeping gains in the area during the local elections. But the Greens will also be aiming to win votes from Labour following their success in the Gorton and Denton by-election. MP Rupert Lowe has said his Restore party will stand a candidate. Reform has yet to announced their would-be mayor. The mayoral by-election is scheduled for July 30 and Trafford Council’s Bowdon Ward representative Mr Eckersley said he is “honoured to have been selected”. Mr Eckersley, who founded Bridgewater Care Home in Wigan in 2010, which employs more than 100 people, added: “Greater Manchester is my home, and it’s a region with enormous potential, but too often decisions are made with a focus on Manchester city centre – with the outer boroughs getting left behind. “As a business owner, father and local councillor, I understand the challenges facing families, businesses and communities across our city-region. “From pressure on public services and concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour, to congestion, housing and the need for stronger local economies, these are issues I have dealt with directly throughout my professional and public life. “The Conservative Party has a clear vision for Greater Manchester – safer streets, better transport, thriving local businesses, responsible development and value for taxpayers’ money.” Watch: Report from Makerfield as Burnham won seat Andy Burnham looks set to become the next prime minister – here’s what that could mean for Britain Here’s what his premiership could mean for the country: What would Andy Burnham’s policies be if he becomes prime minister? Ed Davey says Burnham has 'very shirt window' to turn around Labour's fortunes Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has warned Andy Burnham had only a “very short window to turn this government around” as the country is “impatient for change”. “People have heard this sort of talk before only to be badly let down because nothing changes – Burnham mustn’t repeat that mistake,” he said. “If he’s serious about firing up growth and cutting the cost of living, Burnham must ditch Labour’s old red lines on Europe and take Britain into the single market. “We will be holding his feet to the fire to finally deliver the change people are crying out for.” Watch: John Major’s challenge to Burnham - ‘Britain must rejoin the EU single market in five years’ What is the latest on Mr Burnham's potential cabinet? The former Greater Manchester mayor continues to mull his future cabinet. Rachel Reeves appears to have conceded she will no longer be staying on as Chancellor, with several senior ministers including home secretary Shabana Mahmood and energy secretary Ed Miliband tipped to succeed her. Lucy Powell said she thought Mr Miliband would be good at running the Treasury but cautioned against “tittle-tattle” over who may get which job. Steve Reed said he would be “very happy” to keep his Cabinet position under a Burnham government and had been speaking to the Makerfield MP in recent days, but that appointments would be a matter for the leader. Burnham to pledge 'circuit breaker' for Britain Labour leadership frontrunner Andy Burnham will pledge to give Britain the “circuit-breaker it needs” in a major speech unveiling his plans for devolution and the economy. Mr Burnham, who served as a minister and on the opposition frontbench before becoming a regional mayor in 2017, will use his speech to suggest his generation of politicians – himself included – must take responsibility for the loss of public trust in politics. He is expected to commit to public procurement reform which will centre on “buying British” in a bid to revive industry and in turn securing more “social value” in the form of work placements and apprenticeships. Education reforms are also to be unveiled aimed at delivering what his team describe as “true parity” between the academic and the technical – a balance which outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also sought to focus on while in government. ‘His time has come’: Makerfield voters want Burnham to be prime minister – as long as he doesn’t forget them Do Andy Burnham’s new constituents want him to become prime minister? Dan Haygarth finds out. Read below: Makerfield voters want Burnham to become their PM – as long as he doesn’t forget them Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments