As Labour's leadership contest heats up, a key ally has revealed that Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester and current party contender, has been quietly preparing for Number 10 for at least a year. According to Louise Haigh MP, who served as Transport Secretary in the previous Shadow Cabinet and is now central to Burnham's campaign, his time out of Westminster gave him a unique understanding of regional challenges – an insight that has equipped him with a clear plan to address systemic issues facing the country.
Mrs Haigh dismissed concerns about Burnham's preparedness for national government, arguing that his experiences as Mayor allowed him to develop a profound understanding of regional needs. 'He's not beholden to anyone,' she said, indicating that he will set out his agenda first before building his team, addressing potential worries over cabinet appointments.
However, Mrs Haigh was more cautious when discussing policy challenges, warning that previous attempts at welfare cuts might simply displace costs elsewhere in the system. She acknowledged the need to address the rapidly increasing welfare budget but cautioned against knee-jerk reactions. This pragmatic approach is a cornerstone of Burnham's leadership campaign.
At the heart of his policy platform lies the devolution of power away from Westminster, with plans to transfer decision-making from the Treasury – an 'all-powerful' institution that exerts too much influence over public policy, according to Mrs Haigh. However, she tempered this ambition by suggesting a complete overhaul might not be feasible within a short timeframe, citing concerns over disruption and distraction.