Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s approach to economic reform and devolution is shaping up to be a defining feature of his government, reflecting a blend of political philosophy and practical governance drawn from his experience as mayor of Greater Manchester. His vision, often described as “Manchesterism,” aims to reconcile economic growth with social progress by devolving power from London to regional authorities and local communities.

Burnham’s tenure as Greater Manchester mayor saw the introduction of significant initiatives, notably the Bee bus network launched in 2023. This public transport scheme reversed decades of decline following the 1986 bus deregulation under Margaret Thatcher, which led to a halving of bus journeys in the region. Utilizing powers granted by the 2017 Bus Services Act, Burnham was the first mayor in England to bring buses back under a form of public control, with Transport for Greater Manchester overseeing routes, fares, and timetables. The initiative faced legal challenges from major bus companies but ultimately prevailed in court, bolstering Burnham’s credentials as a pragmatic political operator.

Burnham’s broader economic vision draws on three camps of influential thinkers. The left-leaning group, aligned with figures such as Fahnbulleh and Miliband, argue for addressing an affordability crisis driven by the privatisation of essential services, advocating for increased public ownership. A more centrist camp, closer to Burnham’s allies including Louise Haigh and Nick Williams, emphasizes rebuilding state capacity, reducing regulatory barriers, and enabling market dynamism through streamlined planning policies. The third, communitarian camp—prominent within Burnham’s inner circle—focuses on renewing political engagement through a devolution of power, emphasizing local decision-making and community empowerment rather than centralized policymaking.

Last month, Burnham appointed Marc Stears, a political theorist in the communitarian tradition, as an adviser. Stears highlights the need to rebuild trust in politics by moving power closer to citizens, critiquing the professionalized party politics that have alienated many voters. This philosophical strand aligns with Burnham’s emphasis on devolving authority as a response to the “hollowed-out local state” and declining public services.

In support of these goals, Burnham has established No 10 North, a government hub based in Manchester intended to coordinate devolution policy outside London. Led by Haigh, who also chairs a cabinet taskforce exploring public control of housing, energy, water, and transport, the initiative aims to wrest influence from Treasury-centric governance traditionally centered in the capital. Policy experts view this as potentially transformative, though they caution that devolution requires a strong central authority capable of guiding diverse local interests.

However, questions remain about the scalability of Manchesterism nationally. While Greater Manchester has seen uneven economic benefits—central areas experiencing rising living costs while outer boroughs lag—the broader vision faces challenges. Some experts warn that devolving power to regions with varying economic philosophies, such as areas governed by Reform Party mayors favoring deregulation, could result in a fragmented economic landscape rather than a unified post-neoliberal model.

Burnham’s government is confronting structural economic shifts as well. Attempts to revive manufacturing in regions like Rochdale’s Atom Valley through government-backed infrastructure and innovation are ongoing, but employment growth in advanced manufacturing remains slow. Experts note that restoring economic growth is complicated by the decline of traditional “good jobs” tied to past industrial prosperity.

As Burnham prepares for the forthcoming budget announcement and delivers his contributions at Labour’s conference, observers will closely watch whether his rhetoric about devolution and economic renewal translates into concrete policies and outcomes. His approach reflects a cautious balancing act between devolving authority to localities and maintaining sufficient central coordination to pursue nationwide economic change.