Only a quarter of voters believe Andy Burnham will govern for whole country

Just under a quarter of Britons believe prospective prime minister Andy Burnham will govern in the interests of the whole country, according to a YouGov.

The former Greater Manchester mayor is expected to replace Sir Keir Starmer in No10 on 20 July, unless another Labour challenger rapidly emerges.

Mr Burnham has begun to set out his policy agenda, pledging to move power away from Westminster.

In a speech in the People’s History Museum, in Manchester, on Monday, the Makerfield MP pledged to create a new No10 North in the city, in the hopes that this would “make power flow” from Westminster to Yorkshire and other parts of the country.

He has coined the term “Manchesterism” for his wider ideology focused on devolution.

Mr Burnham said he wants to put power “in the hands of people and places who can use it best” and take it “out of the centre”.

The YouGov poll was conducted a day after the speech, with only 23 per cent of Britons saying that Mr Burnham would govern in the interests of the whole country.

Whilst 27 per cent thought he would govern in the interests of regions like the North of England.

In his speech on Monday, he criticised Westminster for “not working for people” and declared that “we can’t go on like this”.

The West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin described him as having “northern grit” and felt he would have a “profound impact” on the future of the country.

In the YouGov poll, only 4 per cent of respondents believe he would govern in the interests of regions like London and the South East of England.

A separate poll published by Politico, carried out by Public First, found that 51 per cent of respondents believe Mr Burnham should call an election, in order to give his government a mandate.

Should Mr Burnham continue to be the only Labour MP contesting for leadership, then by 20 July he would become prime minister.