A market town in County Durham, England, with East Coast rail links and a 2021 population of 107,800.
Andy Burnham has emerged as the clear frontrunner to replace Keir Starmer and is using a Manchester speech to press a major devolution agenda. He has proposed shifting decision‑making and parts of the prime ministerial operation north, a 10‑year mission on living standards and changes to public procurement to favour British jobs.
Andy Burnham has outlined a plan to devolve power away from Whitehall, establishing a No 10 North unit in Manchester to oversee regional reform, housing, transport and economic policy. He has positioned himself as the voice for English regions and signalled potential changes to where key decisions are made.
The Independent reports Andy Burnham has pledged a “new direction” for the UK, advocating devolution and a North No. 10 to drive reforms in energy, housing and transport. He aims to move power out of Whitehall and fosters a vision of “Manchesterism” to deliver growth across regions.