Andy Burnham has said he wants to be the next Labour leader – here’s what that could mean for Britain

Andy Burnham has won the decisive by-election in Makerfield, becoming the constituency’s latest MP and prompting questions of what the UK might look like with the popular former mayor as the next leader of the Labour Party. The veteran politician has previously confirmed his intention to compete in any Labour leadership election, challenging Sir Keir Starmer, following his return to Westminster. An MP from 2001 to 2017, and holding three ministerial positions in that time, the move to London won’t be unfamiliar for the Liverpool-born politician – but the circumstances felt very novel. Mr Burnham presented his campaign in the Wigan-adjacent seat of Makerfield not just as a vote for its residents, but to “change Labour” and potentially see him lead the country as prime minister. open image in gallery Andy Burnham has vowed to run for the Labour leadership should he become an MP later this month (PA Wire) In a speech following his win, Mr Burnham said: “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working. Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point.” He added: “I do say to my own party: this is a final chance to change. “This is what people said directly to me on the hundreds of doorsteps that I stood on. We must hear it, we must act upon it and we must get it right. There will be no second chance.” Polling experts have put Mr Burnham most likely to win in any leadership contest, beating the prime minister and expected rivals, Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner, in popularity. Here’s what his victory could mean for the country: Taking Manchesterism to Westminster At the heart of Mr Burnham’s plan for Britain is ‘Manchesterism’, a political vision that, in short, brings together elements of devolution and nationalisation. Informed , Mr Burnham has called for greater powers and funding decisions to be given to regional leaders who are best-placed to understand the needs of their community. This often includes the power to control public services, as characterised by Manchester’s successful ‘Bee Network’. Comprising bus and tram routes across the city, the development of the scheme saw ownership of the infrastructure wrested from several private companies in a move that gave local decision-makers full control. open image in gallery Speaking about the Makerfield by-election, Mr Burnham said: “I can’t do anything unless I’m lucky enough to get the support of people here.” (Reuters) More widely, the city’s combined authority has also pledged a £1 billion “good growth fund” to regeneration, employment, housing and homelessness projects.