Andy Burnham outlines vision for UK power decentralisation
Andy Burnham has pledged to decentralise power in Scotland as part of a broader plan to "power up" all regions of the United Kingdom.
The former Greater Manchester mayor, anticipated to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister following his election to Westminster, stated he would implement the "biggest change in our lifetime to the way the country is run."
This plan involves transferring power away from devolved parliaments and empowering local communities.
If no other Labour MP contests the leadership, Burnham is expected to assume the role of prime minister on 20 July.
In a public address presenting his vision, the Makerfield MP emphasized his goal to redistribute power and resources throughout the UK.
He promised that a "streamlined state" would "power up all parts of the country."
Burnham has also proposed devolving power to regions by establishing a new "Number 10 North" office in Manchester.
He aims to grant mayors increased authority as part of a 10-year plan to transform the economy.
Burnham described the Westminster system as "broken" and called for "radical" reforms.
He pledged to "make politics work for you and the place where you live."
The Labour leadership contender declared that the era of Whitehall resisting devolution into nations and regions was "over for good."
Extending devolution deeper into Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Burnham stated the process would create "new opportunities to extend devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by taking power deeper down."
"The people of Dundee and Bangor feel just as distant from Holyrood and the Senedd as they do from Westminster."
Central to the strategy is expanding the prime minister's office to Manchester, naming it "Number 10 North."
Burnham emphasized the need for a more responsive political system that addresses local needs effectively.
Decentralising power within Scotland
Scotland currently holds the most devolved powers in the UK, including authority over health, education, transport, benefits administration, and taxation.
However, unlike England, Scotland has not implemented regional mayors with significant local powers.
Burnham advocates for decentralising power within Scotland itself.
He suggested reforms such as granting local grassroots organisations greater control over employment support.
This approach could enable tailored employment support systems across different Scottish regions, reflecting their unique needs.
Responses from Scottish political figures
SNP Westminster Leader Dave Doogan criticized Burnham's proposals, stating:
"Andy Burnham is making the same empty promises, while keeping all of Westminster's most damaging policies - Brexit, austerity cuts and Tory spending rules.
The SNP has been calling for meaningful devolution for years but there is nothing of substance for Scotland in these proposals - and nothing that will fundamentally improve people's lives."
Scottish Green local government spokesperson Kristopher Leask commented:
"This speech was big on rhetoric but short on policy, leaving people in Scotland with more questions than answers.
Burnham is right that the UK is far too centralised, but this was clearly a speech aimed at the English regions, with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland treated as an afterthought."
