Andy Burnham has pledged radical devolution of UK government if he becomes prime minister, setting out a vision that would transfer significant powers and funding away from Westminster to regions, cities, and nations across the country. The proposal centers on moving decision-making closer to communities, arguing that economic growth, public services, and infrastructure planning are more effective when led locally rather than directed centrally. Burnham said the current system concentrates too much authority in London and leaves other areas unable to respond quickly to their own needs, from transport and housing to skills training and health integration.
Under the plan, combined authorities and devolved governments would gain greater control over tax-raising powers, investment budgets, and policy design, with a new constitutional framework to guarantee that shift. The approach would build on existing mayoral models but go further, creating a system where regional leaders have the resources and legal authority to deliver long-term strategies without repeated negotiations with central departments. Burnham framed the commitment as both democratic and economic, saying that empowering local leadership would unlock potential that has been held back by over-centralization and short-term Westminster priorities.
The pledge also includes reforms to how funding is allocated, moving toward needs-based formulas and multi-year settlements that allow regions to plan with certainty. He argued that radical devolution is necessary to address regional inequality, improve accountability, and rebuild trust in politics by giving voters a clearer link between their choices and the services they receive. While the proposal would require substantial legislative change and cross-party cooperation, Burnham positioned it as a defining offer to reshape the UK’s governance model and shift power out of Whitehall for good.
