Standard Chartered Bank’s Chief Economist for Europe and UK, Christopher Graham, has analyzed Andy Burnham’s proposal to make devolution a central pillar of his potential premiership. Burnham, who has served as mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, advocates for a model of economic devolution termed 'Manchesterism,' which aims to shift power from Westminster to local institutions. This approach is designed to foster more inclusive, place-based growth and reduce regional inequalities, drawing on the example of Greater Manchester, where growth has reportedly been twice that of the UK during Burnham’s tenure [1].
The report highlights that the UK remains one of the most centralised advanced economies, as indicated by OECD data, and faces significant disparities in economic performance and productivity compared to its peers [1]. Devolution, according to Graham, could provide the Labour Party with a comprehensive economic vision that has been perceived as lacking under Starmer’s leadership, and may attract some cross-party support [1].
However, the academic consensus on the economic benefits of devolution is described as mixed, with evidence from the UK’s modern devolution agenda since 1999 also being inconclusive [1]. The report stresses that the potential gains from devolution depend heavily on the pace, design, and institutional strength of the reforms [1].
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CONCLUSION
Andy Burnham’s vision for devolution as a cornerstone of UK economic reform is seen as potentially transformative but carries uncertain outcomes. While the approach could address regional disparities and offer Labour a unifying economic strategy, the evidence for its effectiveness remains mixed, and its success will depend on careful implementation.