Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivered a speech in Motherwell, Scotland, today, 16 October 2026, where he outlined his vision for a 'place-first' approach to politics. Mr Burnham stated that his reason for returning to Westminster as Prime Minister was to change existing ways and empower every postcode across the UK.
The Prime Minister highlighted his experience as Mayor of Greater Manchester, where he pioneered the 'Live Well' model. This initiative, he explained, was inspired by a visit in August 2023 to FARE-Scotland at Bannatyne House in Easterhouse, which he described as a ground-breaking example of bottom-up, person-centred support.
Mr Burnham expressed his determination to push power out of Downing Street and into the hands of local people, aiming to 'rewire the state' so it works across the UK. He linked this approach to preventing communities from experiencing the effects of deindustrialisation, referencing Motherwell's history.