Burnham to promise devolution in first major speech since launching No 10 bid

Andy Burnham is set to deliver a major policy speech outlining his vision for government, marking his first significant address since launching his bid for prime minister. A key proposal is the creation of a "No 10 North" body, intended to spearhead economic growth across all UK nations and regions, placing devolution at the core of his governance agenda.

The speech will also detail a "10-year mission" aimed at improving living standards and tackling youth unemployment, with the overarching goal to "lift Britain back up to where it should be." Burnham is expected to become prime minister on July 20 if no other Labour MP challenges him for leadership. He faces calls to clarify his plans, potential cabinet appointments, and any deviations from the 2024 Labour manifesto.

Burnham intends to provide Britain with a "circuit-breaker" and address the public's low trust in politics, advocating for decision-making to be decentralized to regions and local communities. He signaled an intention to maintain the fiscal rules set by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, which prioritize funding day-to-day government costs through tax income rather than borrowing, and aim for debt reduction as a share of national income by 2029-30.

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give Britain the circuit-breaker it needs

Despite adherence to fiscal prudence, Burnham faces pressure from various sides. Some Labour MPs on the party's left urge a relaxation of spending rules. Meanwhile, former Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin advised Burnham to commit to increasing defense investment to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, emphasizing the need to "keep our country safe" and acknowledging the "extraordinary responsibility" of leadership, likening it to that of a wartime prime minister.

Potential replacements for Chancellor Rachel Reeves are rumored to include Ed Miliband, David Miliband, Wes Streeting, or Shabana Mahmood. The government's defense investment plan, detailing multi-billion funding increases, is due before a new prime minister takes office.

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It is [to] keep our country safe, acknowledge that you have this extraordinary responsibility - so you're almost like a wartime prime minister at the moment. And that means you need to invest in what really keeps us safe.