{"text":[[{"start":8.6,"text":"Andy Burnham will on Monday pledge to deliver “good growth in every postcode” of the UK, using his first major speech as prime minister-in-waiting to target another decade of Labour government. "}],[{"start":19.5,"text":"The former mayor of Greater Manchester will also signal a desire to end the cycle of Westminster turmoil, which has seen six prime ministers ousted in a decade, promising to “give Britain the circuit breaker it needs”."}],[{"start":33.1,"text":"Burnham could become prime minister as soon as July 20, after potential rivals melted away in the wake of Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation. "}],[{"start":41.650000000000006,"text":"However, his precise policy proposals are facing growing scrutiny, with observers noting that his enthusiasm for decentralising power and investing in less prosperous regions bears a striking resemblance to Starmer’s own approach and former prime minister Boris Johnson’s so-called levelling up agenda. "}],[{"start":60.400000000000006,"text":"Senior Labour figures, meanwhile, played down the idea that Burnham would need to hold a general election to have democratic legitimacy. "}],[{"start":68.4,"text":"Housing secretary Steve Reed suggested on Sunday that Burnham could introduce “changes in emphasis” while sticking to the “fundamentals” such as the fiscal rules. Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell said that voters wanted the party to “get on with the job”."}],[{"start":83.60000000000001,"text":"Speaking at the People’s History Museum in Manchester on Monday, Burnham will confirm plans to set up a new “No 10 North” based in that city. The new department is intended to act as a counterweight to Whitehall’s gravitational pull, driving devolution and co-ordinating economic renewal across the country."}],[{"start":102.65,"text":"But the reference to growth in every postcode appears an attempt to reassure voters in other regions that he will not show favouritism to his own backyard. "}],[{"start":112.85000000000001,"text":"Some Labour MPs have misgivings about Burnham’s emphasis on northern England, which they fear could play badly in the south. “It’s all very well going on about the north-west but we do have loads of seats in London and elsewhere in the south and I’m worried that Andy could alienate them if he overdoes it,” said one London Labour MP."}],[{"start":131.95000000000002,"text":"Although there are only three years left in the current parliament, Burnham will commit to a “10-year mission to raise living standards” through re-industrialisation, housing, infrastructure and reform of essential utilities. "}],[{"start":145.75000000000003,"text":"That may serve to temper expectations of an immediate economic turnaround or quick-fire nationalisations. "}],[{"start":153.10000000000002,"text":"However, the suggestion that Labour can win the next two general elections comes despite the party languishing third behind Reform UK and the Tories in the polls. "}],[{"start":163.20000000000002,"text":"After discussions with Alan Milburn, the former health secretary who is conducting a review of youth inactivity, Burnham will herald major reforms to the education system to create “parity between academic and technical” and drive down the number of “NEETs” — youngsters not in education, employment or training."}],[{"start":181.05,"text":"Burnham’s central proposal in the speech is “the biggest transfer of power out of Whitehall in modern times” with decision-making pushed to regions and local communities."}],[{"start":190.5,"text":"Starmer likewise promised the “biggest ever transfer of political power” and “boldest devolution project in a generation” by rolling out devolution deals across England, expanding mayoral powers and passing a “Take Back Control Act”."}],[{"start":205.4,"text":"Burnham will suggest that his generation of politicians — including himself — must take responsibility for the loss of public trust in politics."}],[{"start":215.35,"text":"Although he has cast himself as a political outsider, he was an MP, cabinet minister and shadow minister for 16 years in parliament before becoming Manchester mayor in 2017. "}],[{"start":234.25,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1782702976_1533.mp3"}