Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Andy Burnham Promotes Manchesterism to Shift Power
Andy Burnham, the new UK Prime Minister, talked about a idea called Manchesterism.
It says that governments should let businesses grow and people make money on their own, but the government should still help by giving local areas more power.
The idea started in the 1800s in Manchester, a city in England.
Burnham said he wants to use this idea to make local governments stronger and move some power from London’s Westminster to places like Manchester.
He has spoken about it in speeches in February, March, and June of 2024.
Andy Burnham, newly appointed UK Prime Minister, highlighted Manchesterism as a guiding political philosophy.
He described Manchesterism as business‑friendly socialism that promotes regional devolution to spur growth.
The concept originated in the 19th‑century Manchester school of thought, championing free trade and minimal state interference.
Burnham reiterated the idea in speeches on June 29, February, and March of this year.
He suggests Manchesterism could shift power from Westminster to local governments.
- Who
- Andy Burnham
- What
- Introduced Manchesterism as a guiding political philosophy
- When
- June 29, 2024 (speech), with earlier remarks in February and March 2024
- Where
- United Kingdom, Westminster, Manchester
- Why
- To promote regional devolution and business‑friendly socialism that could transfer power away from Westminster
- Prime Minister
- Andy Burnham
- Political Philosophy
- Manchesterism
- Origin
- 19th‑century Manchester school
- Key Features
- Business‑friendly socialism, regional devolution, free trade
- Goal
- Shift power from Westminster to local governments