The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has unveiled his vision for a 'Rewired Britain' with a bold shift of authority from central government to local communities and a new economic approach that moves away from the "trickle-down" model. Speaking at the People's History Museum in Manchester, Mr Burnham claimed that his proposals mark the beginning of a new era in UK politics, one where power is decentralised and regional voices are amplified.
A central plank of Mr Burnham's plan is devolution – a substantial programme aimed at reducing Britain's status as the most centralised G7 country for tax and spending policy. He argues that this excessive centralisation contributes to economic inequality and stifles innovation in regions outside London. To address this, he proposes establishing a new hub for Downing Street in the North, based in Manchester, which would oversee the redistribution of power across all regions. This system would devolve sweeping new powers, including tax, skills, and industry policy, to local areas by default, rather than requiring Whitehall approval.
Mr Burnham also rejects "trickle-down economics", a model he believes has been pursued since the 1980s without delivering widespread prosperity. While this stance echoes sentiments from Labour's Shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, his vision diverges in its breadth and execution. He proposes an expanded state role in essential services, housing, and industrial strategy, alongside a commitment to public ownership of utilities. Furthermore, he references the concept of a German-style Basic Law, which would enshrine a statutory right to equal living standards across the UK.
Going beyond economic and regional reforms, Mr Burnham also addressed the need for radical change within Westminster and Whitehall. He expressed concern over Parliament's current "fragmented" and "unhappy" atmosphere, describing the whip system as a tool that can "create fear or close down debate". In contrast to recent approaches, he pledged to empower backbench MPs and suggested ending the adversarial system within the Civil Service – potentially splitting up the Treasury itself.
The proposals mark a significant departure from existing central government frameworks, aiming to address long-standing regional economic disparities and perceived inefficiencies within the UK's administrative structures. While the Labour Party has yet to fully endorse all aspects of Mr Burnham's detailed plan, his speech undoubtedly positions him as a prominent voice in national politics.