Why I believe Andy Burnham will deliver the change Britain needs - Harpreet Uppal
This week, Andy Burnham became our new Prime Minister. I've known and worked for Andy for more than a decade, and I have no doubt that he will bring the energy, ambition and commitment needed to deliver real change across our country.
I worked on Andy’s first Greater Manchester mayoral campaign in 2017. He left behind a Westminster that he felt wasn’t working in the interests of people and started on his own path of devolved politics.
I saw a politician who was freer, confident in his own skin and who was serious about delivering for his area. He was ambitious for Greater Manchester and its people, and he would put place before politics.
In his first speech at Downing Street, Andy talked about putting the care of people at the centre of his government and this says everything about how he will lead as Prime Minister. The same should be said on his moral mission to eradicate rough sleeping.
Over the last two years, this Government has achieved a great deal, but we have not always moved quickly enough or communicated strongly enough the difference we are making. Time and again, speaking to constituents I've heard firsthand about the harsh realities of the cost-of-living crisis and the pressures families and businesses continue to face. Too many have felt there is a political class not on their side.
Residents in our area are crying out for hope and delivery. Andy understands that. He has already set out his intention to support people with the cost of living, tackle the crisis in social care, end rough sleeping and continue to support Ukraine. With further policy announcements to come he will set out bold steps to improve the lives of millions of people from all parts of our country, including for residents and families across Yorkshire.
I am excited by the prospect of a significant transfer of power to local communities. Decisions affecting our communities, our transport, our housing and our economy have been made by people sitting in Whitehall, often with little understanding of the realities facing towns and cities like those across Yorkshire.
As a former Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy knows what can be achieved when power is placed closer to the people it serves. Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire is in the process of bringing buses under local control – which means that routes, frequencies, reliability, fares and overall standards for buses in the region are now to be set by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority – not private operators.
The creation of ‘No.10 North’ will further drive devolution and economic growth, pushing power out to all corners of the country - not just the North. I am excited about the opportunities this will open up for those living in my town. When Andy Burnham came and spoke to my Summer School cohort only a couple of weeks ago, he chatted about his plans for a “No.10 North”, the importance of spreading opportunity more evenly across the country, ensuring that people from all backgrounds, including young people Huddersfield, have an equal chance to succeed and reach their potential.
I know there is more to come that will place people at the heart of decision making. I am pleased he has appointed a Cabinet, that has a diverse range of voices from all over the country, and with varying life experiences and backgrounds. Yorkshire is the second most represented region on the Cabinet, and for the first time females out number males.
Harpreet Uppal is the Labour MP for Huddersfield.