Burnham targets north-south divide in Manchester mayoral bid

摘要

Andy Burnham has argued 'more change is possible' through local government than in the shadow cabinet after he was named Labour's Greater Manchester mayoral candidate. Speaking to The MJ after beating Greater Manchester's interim mayor Tony Lloyd and Bury South MP Ivan Lewis to the candidacy, the shadow home secretary said he could 'do more to close the north- south divide' by 'taking a step outside Westminster'. Mr Burnham (pictured) said he would 'build the case for substantial farther devolution of power' with other mayors if he was elected to the role next year, adding there was 'no question' Greater Manchester could do a 'better job' with the Department for Work and Pensions budget than the current 'tick-box, top-down regime'.