Stories

Fri, 17 Jul 2026

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 Burnham's 'Manchesterism' got him to No 10 - but will it work for the UK?

Economics editor Faisal Islam examines whether the north-west city can be a template for the entire country.
Manchesterism: The article discusses the "Manchester model" of economic development, which has been successful in attracting private capital to build infrastructure, especially housing, in the city region. Burnham credits this approach as one of the reasons why Manchester has grown rapidly. Policy proposals: Burnham's policy proposals are outlined, including: 1. Constitutional reform: He advocates for a form of proportional representation and the replacement of the House of Lords with a "Senate of the Nations and the Regions." 2. Devolution: He proposes devolving powers over large swathes of public services to regional level. 3. Net Zero: He suggests a "Northern Way" approach, which subsidizes the transition to Net Zero, retrofits homes, cuts bills, and builds exportable locally owned industry. 4. Taxation: He proposes full tax and spend devolution for every region, but this raises questions about how taxes would be allocated and whether regions could keep their own taxes. Challenges and contradictions: The article highlights some of the challenges and contradictions in Burnham's policy proposals, including: 1. Rising global energy prices: His Net Zero plan may be difficult to implement given current energy price pressures. 2. Impatience from North Sea energy interests: His "Northern Way" approach may face opposition from North Sea energy companies that want to pump more oil and gas. 3. Taxation and borrowing: His full tax and spend devolution proposal raises questions about how taxes would be allocated and whether regions could borrow money. Personal views: The article quotes Burnham as saying that the Manchester model is not left or right, but rather pro-business and pro-enterprise with a focus on giving back to society. He also criticizes decades of "neoliberalism" and the "trickle-down effect." Future prospects: The article concludes by discussing the potential implications of Burnham's policies for the UK as a whole, including his possible leadership ambitions and how his vision for Manchester might be replicated elsewhere in the country. Overall, the article provides an in-depth analysis of Andy Burnham's policy proposals and their implications for the UK's economic development.