Andy Burnham’s plan for a “No 10 North” based in Manchester risks creating a new power bubble and overlooking left-behind communities, Sir Ed Davey has said.
On a visit to Torbay in Devon, the Liberal Democrat leader will say the prime minister-in-waiting’s devolution proposals could push the Government “even further away” from areas like those in the South West.
In a fresh attack on Sir Keir Starmer’s likely successor, Sir Ed will dub the former metro mayor “Avanti Andy” and tell him “there is a Britain that lies beyond the tracks connecting Euston and Manchester Piccadilly”.
Mr Burnham, who looks set to enter Downing Street as soon as July 20, used a speech last week to pledge to “rewire” the British state with greater decision-making handed to local leaders.
His flagship proposal was the creation of an outpost of 10 Downing Street based in Manchester, which he said would serve as the “nerve centre” through which to deliver priorities including reindustrialisation and regeneration.
Ahead of his visit, Sir Ed said: “London and Manchester are brilliant cities and engines of innovation for our country, but Avanti Andy is heading for signal failure if he doesn’t rapidly realise there is a Britain that lies beyond the tracks connecting Euston and Manchester Piccadilly.
“From the Devon coast to Swansea’s streets and Shetland’s shores, people are utterly fed up with being overlooked.
“Andy Burnham has a very short window to turn this Government around, end the chaos and build trust with communities the whole length and breadth of the UK.
“From restoring axed rural bus services to saving our high streets from terminal decay, Liberal Democrats will be holding Avanti Andy to account on putting real power back into the hands of local communities.”
On Thursday, meanwhile, Burnham signalled a tougher Labour policy on Israel in support of Gaza.
He issued a video on social media apologising for the party’s response on Gaza, stating: “We were not good enough.”
This intervention is significant, as Gaza and Israel have been touchstone issues within Labour, causing major concern for Keir Starmer’s government.
Mr Burnham apologised for Labour’s initial response to Israel’s military action in Gaza, admitting the Labour Party “didn’t get it right”.
The move came as nominations opened on Thursday to replace Sir Keir as leader of the Labour Party with Mr Burnham the only candidate coming forward.
