Burnham's 'Manchesterism' got him to No 10 - but will it work for the UK?

Burnham’s 'Manchesterism' propelled him to No 10—but will it work for the UK? He recalls a conversation from 2007 when, serving as chief head to the Treasury, he was told: "No task successful the northbound passed the Green Book, Minister." He repeated the same sentiment in 2020, saying: "He told maine the aforesaid successful 2020 erstwhile determination were murmurings of betterment to the formula." Chancellor Rachel Reeves subsequently pursued pilot projects aimed at reshaping the approach to benefit local investment. In his publication, Burnham argues for scrapping the Barnett formula, which governs national spending allocations, and increasing funding for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland so they do not lose out to England as a whole. He contends that this would leave northern England squeezed in a "pincer". During his recent Head North address, Burnham cited Germany's "Basic Law", which enshrines the principle of "equivalent surviving standards" across regions. He asserted that such legislation would bolster local authorities and grant regions a formal role in being consulted on long‑term decisions. Burnham also calls for substantial legal reform, including the introduction of a proportional representation system and the replacement of the House of Lords with a "Senate of the Nations and the Regions", coupled with devolving authority over extensive swaths of national services to the regional level. On net‑zero policy, he proposes a "Northern Way" that would subsidise the transition, fund retrofits, lower household bills and encourage the growth of export‑oriented, locally owned industry. He contrasts this with what he describes as a "Whitehall way"—characterised by bans, charges and taxes that disproportionately affect poorer households. The practical outcome of this agenda will have to contend with rising global energy prices, pressure on household budgets, and resistance from North Sea energy interests seeking to expand oil and gas extraction. There are evident contradictions, for instance, between full taxation and spending devolution for each region—would the south‑east retain the taxes it raises? Some aides have recently downplayed potential alterations to the Barnett arrangement amid worries expressed by Scottish politicians.