Britain is looking to its new leader, Andy Burnham, to revive its struggling economy. Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, will become the UK’s seventh prime minister in a decade on Monday.

Manchester’s Success Story

As mayor of Greater Manchester for nine years, Burnham oversaw a city region whose economy has grown at roughly twice the rate of the country as a whole. The city has undergone significant transformation, with a thriving hospitality scene, independent businesses, and a growing cohort of young workers.

Local residents and business owners attribute the city’s success to its stable leadership, long-term strategic planning, and partnerships between business and government. Burnham has promised to bring his brand of business-friendly, locally empowered social democracy to the British capital and the rest of the UK.

Challenges Ahead

Despite Manchester’s success, the region still faces high levels of deprivation and poverty. Burnham will have to tackle the country’s myriad economic problems, including a ballooning welfare bill and growing youth unemployment, all while dealing with weak government finances.

Burnham’s ability to implement policies aimed at boosting economic growth will be severely constrained, but he has seen firsthand how change is wrought, giving him a steely reserve to fight for it.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.