Andy Burnham, the charismatic mayor of Greater Manchester, is poised to challenge Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the country’s premiership. Burnham’s win in a by-election in Makerfield, northwest England, has given him considerable momentum.

Background

Burnham was previously unable to challenge Starmer for leadership of the governing Labour Party because he was not a sitting Member of Parliament (MP). However, his win in the by-election has changed that, and he is now expected to run for the party’s leadership.

Burnham has been a popular politician in the UK, known for his charismatic persona and his ability to connect with voters. He has served in various roles, including as a parliamentary researcher, special adviser, and MP. He was also the health minister in the Labour government.

Manchesterism

Burnham has been associated with a concept called ‘Manchesterism,’ which refers to his time as Manchester mayor. Manchesterism is characterized as ‘business-friendly socialism’ or the ‘end of neoliberalism, the end of trickle-down economics that has left out places like Makerfield.’

According to Mathew Lawrence, founder of the Common Wealth thinktank, Manchesterism entails getting ‘better control of essential services, whether that’s housing, water, energy, transport that have been systematically outsourced, deregulated, privatized.’ Other pillars of Manchesterism include devolving power from Westminster to other towns and cities across the country and promoting a ‘pro-enterprise culture… but trying to do it on terms that actually directly benefit working people.’

Burnham’s return to front-line politics has sparked a leadership race in the Labour Party. The party has been struggling with declining popularity, and Burnham’s win has given him a strong chance of becoming the next leader.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.