# Mayor Oliver Coppard hopeful of Prime Minister Andy Burnham visiting Sheffield

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/mayor-oliver-coppard-hopeful-of-prime-minister-andy-burnham-visiting-sheffield/
- Published: 2026-07-21T11:02:35+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-21T11:19:32+00:00
- Original publisher: The Star (Sheffield)
- Original article: https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/mayor-oliver-coppard-hopeful-of-prime-minister-andy-burnham-visiting-sheffield-8812614
- Topics: Government, Politics, Sheffield

## Key points

- South Yorkshire Mayor Coppard expresses hope that newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham will visit and support regional development initiatives
- Burnham is establishing 'Number 10 North' in Manchester to shift government responsibilities away from Westminster and increase local authority decision-making power
- Coppard aims to replicate Burnham's successful Greater Manchester transit reforms through South Yorkshire's new People's Network, with Supertram already under public control

## Summary

South Yorkshire's Mayor Oliver Coppard has indicated optimism that Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office on 20 July 2026, will visit the region and assist with development efforts. Coppard has long regarded Burnham as a political inspiration, pointing to his nine-year tenure as Greater Manchester Mayor, during which he reformed public transport through the 'Bee Network'. Coppard is attempting to replicate this achievement in South Yorkshire via his People's Network initiative, having already brought Supertram under public control with plans to extend this approach to buses in 2027.

Burnham's government is establishing 'Number 10 North' in Manchester to redistribute certain governmental functions beyond Westminster, granting local authorities greater autonomy. Coppard has embraced this devolution strategy, contending that it enables regions to exercise greater influence over decisions affecting their populations. The two leaders remain connected through a mayors' chat group, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening regional governance and addressing northern England's distinct challenges. Coppard attributes his political philosophy partly to Burnham's character, describing their first meeting two decades ago when Burnham was a junior MP who recognised Coppard's contributions despite his junior status.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.