Burnham speech latest: Labour MP gives first major speech and unveils policies as part of PM bid

Burnham speech latest: Labour MP gives first major speech and unveils policies as part of PM bid The former mayor of Greater Manchester will make the case for devolution and argue that Britain needs a ‘circuit breaker’ - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Andy Burnham is giving his first major speech since returning to Westminister as he hopes to claim the keys to No 10. The Makerfield MP, who will almost certainly replace Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister next month, arrived at the People’s History Museum in Manchester, the city he was formerly mayor of, as he pledges to give Britain the “circuit-breaker it needs” through devolution. The former Greater Manchester mayor, who will almost certainly replace Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister next month, will make the case for a radical transfer of power away from London and call for decision-making to be pushed back into local communities in a speech in Manchester on Monday. Mr Burnham, who is a long-standing proponent of devolution, is calling for decision decision-making to be pushed back into local communities as he outlines the “biggest transfer of power out of Whitehall in modern times”. At the centre of this would be the introduction of a 'No10 North', reportedly to be based in Manchester, to coordinate economic policy. His address will come one week after he was sworn in as an MP following his victory in Makerfield. Meanwhile, Mr Burnham continues to mull his future cabinet. Rachel Reeves appears to have conceded she will no longer be staying on as chancellor, with several senior ministers including home secretary Shabana Mahmood and energy secretary Ed Miliband reportedly in the running to succeed her. Burnham reflects on 'broken' politics of the last decade and claims responsibility Andy Burnham is reflecting on the “broken” nature of politics and said his generation of politicians must take responsibility for the state of the country. “In fact, it is broken, and as a result, the country isn't where it should be. It is stuck in a rut, and clearly we can't go on like this. My generation of politicians, including me, must take responsibility. “We haven't been good enough, but instead of being honest about that, the parties have continued with politics as usual, finger pointing, point scoring. Now that might matter less in a world where people's lives are getting better, but when they are not, it is dangerous and destructive of what remains of public trust in politics, we cannot go through another decade like the one we have just had. “We need a new determination to raise living standards of every single person in this land and we must accept that to do that to fix the economy and the country.” Burnham wants to 'lift Britain back up' Andy Burnham has segued into his vision for the future of British politics as he outlines his desire to “build the broadest possible coalition of people to lift Britain back up.” He said: “The time has come to build the broadest possible coalition of people to lift Britain back up to where we all want it to be. What hope can we have that it will be different this time? That's the question I would be asking if I was a voter right now.” Standing ovation for Burnham as he enters The Independent’s senior reporter Dan Haygarth reports live from Manchester: The crowd applauses the Makerfield MP as he makes his way to the stage, he embraces his former mayoral colleagues on his way into the room. “I miss this place”, he says of Manchester as he begins, dressed casually in what he calls his “Manchester clothes”. “It's been such a wrench to leave that I've had to get special permission from what people in Westminster call my Manchester clothes, I've had to get special permission to wear them this morning, sorry, Kemi, about [that].” Andy Burnham has taken to the stage We will bring you the latest from Andy Burnham in Manchester. Applause for Bev Craig as she walks onto stage The Independent’s senior reporter Dan Haygarth reports live from Manchester: The leader of Manchester City council and Labour’s candidate for the Greater Manchester mayor election is cheered as she walks onto the stage to begin proceedings. Burnham is set to take to the stage in Manchester We will bring you the latest lines as Makerfield MP Andy Burnham gives his first major speech outlining potential policies for if he were prime minister. Stay tuned as the former mayor of Greater Manchester takes to the stage. In pictures: Tracy Brabin and Lucy Powell attend Burnham's speech People's History Museum filling up before Burnham speech The Independent’s senior reporter Dan Haygarth reports live from Manchester: The room at the People’s History Museum is almost full, with less than half an hour before Andy Burnham’s speech begins. Among those in attendance are city region mayors Steve Rotheram, Kim McGuinness, Richard Parker and Tracy Brabin, as well as northern MPs Alison McGovern and chief whip Jonathan Reynolds among others. The Independent is stationed on a media balcony at the back of the room and will bring you updates from the speech. Devolution is 'the way to go' to tackle youth unemployment, says NEET report chief Devolution is “absolutely the way to go” about getting people into work, the former minister in charge of a review into youth worklessness has said ahead of a major speech by Andy Burnham. Alan Milburn told an event hosted by the Resolution Foundation: “Labour markets are local. Barrow has a particular labour market, it’s just different from the labour market in, I don’t know where, Bournemouth, just a different labour market. “So there’s got to be the ability somewhere for somebody to own the matching between the supply side and the demand side, because unless that happens at a localised level then you’re going to have a problem. “You’ll hear a bit about what Andy’s saying in his speech today, which I think is absolutely the way to go around this.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments