Speaking at Manchester’s People’s History Museum, frontrunner to become the UK’s next prime minister Andy Burnham outlined his vision for political reform, arguing that “Westminster hasn’t been working for people… it is broken” and that the country is “stuck in a rut” after years of ineffective governance.
Burnham acknowledged that politicians, including himself, shared responsibility for the current state of politics, saying, “My generation of politicians, including me, must take responsibility. We haven’t been good enough.” He criticised what he described as years of “politics as usual”, accusing parties of prioritising “finger-pointing” and “point scoring” over addressing the public’s concerns.
Arguing that declining living standards had weakened public trust, Burnham said, “We cannot go through another decade like the one we have just had.” He pledged to pursue a different approach focused on raising living standards and reforming government.
Burnham said his proposals form part of a broader 10-year vision to “rewire” the British state, with greater decision-making powers transferred from Westminster to cities and regions.
He argued that stronger local leadership, long-term planning and closer cooperation between national and regional government would help tackle regional inequalities, improve public services and deliver more balanced economic growth across the UK, while maintaining fiscal discipline.
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