Likely next PM Andy Burnham to pledge biggest transfer of power from London in decades

A power shift northwards

Burnham will use his first major leadership speech at the People's History Museum in Manchester today to promise to "give Britain the circuit breaker it needs" and "lift Britain back up to where it should be".

give Britain the circuit breaker it needs

Central to the plan is what his team calls "the biggest transfer of power out of Whitehall in modern times", with a "No10 North" department based in Manchester to drive devolution and coordinate economic renewal across every part of the UK. He is also expected to argue that nowhere near enough has been done to empower politicians outside London since the introduction of regional mayors and devolved parliaments.

An economic mission – but with tight limits

The Makerfield MP will commit to a 10-year mission to raise living standards through reindustrialisation, housing, infrastructure and reform of utilities. Public procurement reforms would prioritise "buying British" and secure more apprenticeships and work placements. However, the UK's strained public finances, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and the energy shock from the US conflict with Iran, mean the scope for radical spending is narrow.

Housing secretary Steve Reed said Burnham would stick to Labour's fiscal rules.

When it comes to the fundamentals, Andy has been clear he will stick to the fiscal rules that have delivered this country stability.

Political reaction and the path to Downing Street

Burnham returned to parliament only last week after winning the Makerfield byelection, and is the sole candidate to replace Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation two years after winning a large majority. He could take office as soon as July 20. Senior Labour figures, including deputy leader Lucy Powell, have dismissed calls for a snap election, saying voters want the party to "get on with the job".

voters wanted the party to get on with the job

Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake criticised the proposals as merely shuffling power between politicians.

Andy Burnham's big idea is to shuffle power between politicians. Not fix the welfare system. Not cut the taxes strangling working families.

Some Labour MPs privately worry that Burnham's strong identification with the north of England could damage support in London and the south, though his team insist the "good growth in every postcode" promise applies equally across all regions.

The timetable for power