At the People’s History Museum in Manchester on Tuesday, Andy Burnham delivered a keynote speech outlining his vision for devolution and regional investment in the north of England. Speaking to a large, enthusiastic audience in the museum's Engine Hall, Burnham emphasised a commitment to decentralising power from Westminster and focusing economic growth efforts on northern communities.

Burnham, currently Labour’s frontrunner to become prime minister after an internal party leadership contest, framed his address around what he termed “Manchesterism,” though he did not provide a clear definition of the concept during his remarks. The museum’s surroundings, which include historical exhibits on trade unions and suffragettes, provided a backdrop symbolic of democratic movements and grassroots activism, themes Burnham referenced as integral to his political approach.

One of the key announcements from Burnham was the creation of a “No 10 of the North,” a government operation based in Manchester intended to drive “good growth” through an extended prime ministerial office presence outside of Westminster. He argued this would serve as a practical step to break up the perceived overcentralisation of government power. However, observers noted that such initiatives have been proposed before, citing recent efforts by the outgoing prime minister to establish a Treasury campus in Darlington, which drew mixed local reactions.

Burnham also promised a significant expansion of social housing, pledging what he called the “biggest council housebuilding programme since the postwar period.” This echoed prior commitments from Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner, who last year announced a £39 billion investment in social housing. Burnham’s pledge received strong applause from the audience, reflecting widespread public concern about housing affordability and availability.

Throughout his speech, Burnham adopted a casual dress code featuring a black blazer and a yellow Manchester bee badge. He joked about requiring special permission to wear what he called his “Manchester clothes,” a choice that some critics suggested symbolised a performative distancing from traditional Westminster politics, while others raised questions about balancing personal style with the formal expectations of prime ministerial office.

Despite the evident enthusiasm at the start of the event, Burnham’s address was criticised by some attendees and analysts for lacking substantive policy detail and for not engaging with questions following the speech. The event ended without a question-and-answer session, as museum staff reopened exhibits to the public.

Burnham’s speech marks an early attempt to articulate a vision for reshaping the relationship between the regions and the central government, as he prepares to assume leadership without a general election. While ambitions to devolve power and revitalise northern economies resonate with many voters, critics remain cautious about the practical impact of such pledges and calls for more concrete policy plans as his leadership tenure approaches.