Labour in northern uproar as ex-Starmer minister warns Burnham he can’t make the UK richer by making London poorer in attack on ‘Manchesterism’ devolution plans
Steve Reed, a former Cabinet minister under Sir Keir Starmer, has publicly criticised Prime Minister Andy Burnham's plans to devolve power away from London, warning that the strategy could alienate Labour voters in the capital and the south of England. Writing in The Times, Reed argued that Burnham's so-called "Manchesterism" model, which draws on his experience as Greater Manchester mayor, risks being perceived as benefiting other regions at London and the South's expense, potentially undermining Labour's support base in areas where it holds far more seats than in the "Red Wall".
Burnham is due to unveil a 10-year plan for Britain later this year, giving metro mayors greater powers over tax and planning, and has blamed deindustrialisation, austerity and Brexit for regional inequality outside London and the South East. Reed countered that London's economy is bigger than the next eight largest UK cities combined, that a third of London's children live in poverty, and that high housing costs leave many Londoners with lower disposable incomes than people elsewhere, insisting the rest of the country cannot be made richer by making London poorer.
In short
- Steve Reed attacks Burnham's devolution "Manchesterism" plan
- Warns it could alienate Labour voters in London and south
- Burnham's 10-year plan to give mayors more tax, planning powers
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Greater devolution could let mayors tailor decisions on tax, planning and investment to local needs, helping regions address long-standing inequalities linked to deindustrialisation and austerity. Supporters can argue that spreading economic opportunity would strengthen the UK as a whole, while giving communities more control over decisions that affect them.
The case against
A strategy framed as shifting power or resources away from London risks treating prosperity as a zero-sum contest and alienating voters in the capital and south of England. London also faces serious poverty and housing pressures, so weakening its economy could harm residents there without ensuring that other regions share in the gains.
Explained simply
In England, some decisions are made by the UK government in Westminster, while others are delegated to local and regional leaders. Greater Manchester has an elected mayor, Andy Burnham, who has argued for more powers for regional mayors over issues such as planning and tax.
The debate reflects long-running differences in wealth and opportunity between London and other parts of the country. London has a large economy, but also high housing costs and significant child poverty; many former industrial areas have faced job losses and reduced public investment.
Labour has support in both London and the south of England and in northern constituencies often called the “Red Wall”. How power and resources are shared between regions matters to local services and economies, as well as to the party’s support across the country.
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