UK band Oasis and Mayor Burnham's 'Manchester experiment'

A sense of deep malaise pervades Britain, with one British expatriate in France lamenting, "The UK is definitely wilting. Even if Margaret Thatcher came back to life, she couldn't save it." This sentiment, shared during a conversation about the political shifts following the resignation of former UK leader Keir Starmer and the appointment of Andy Burnham as the new mayor, encapsulates the despair felt in the wake of Brexit. The nation's once-shining systems appear to be faltering, with a decade marked by frequent changes in prime ministers and a cost of living crisis that burdens ordinary workers.

In response to this perceived decline, a "cultural new deal" is emerging from Manchester, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The iconic band Oasis is planning an ambitious concert series in their hometown for 2027. The proposal includes holding performances at the Etihad Stadium, which can accommodate around 70,000 people, for an extended period of 12 to 20 days. This initiative aims to draw an estimated one million visitors, transforming Manchester into an "Oasis World" and injecting vitality into the city.

Simultaneously, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, often called the "King of the North," is spearheading a political experiment to decentralize power. He has declared his intention to shift political and economic authority away from the capital and distribute it nationwide. A key aspect of his plan involves relocating parts of the Prime Minister's office and crucial government bodies to Manchester, coupled with a significant devolution of budgetary and regulatory powers to local authorities.

While critics dismiss Burnham's proposals as populism and other major cities express resentment over potential "Manchester privileges," the mayor is taking a calculated political risk. His actions stem from a conviction that the current trajectory will not save a declining Britain. The article draws a parallel to South Korea's own struggles with regional development, urging a reflection on the willingness to embrace change and overcome the inertia that perpetuates the concentration of power in the capital.