See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy DAVID WILCOCK, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 10:47 BST, 29 June 2026 | Updated: 16:16 BST, 29 June 2026
Andy Burnham's economic plans are effectively a 'bribe' to try to woo northern voters back to Labour, Kemi Badenoch warned today.The Conservative leader lashed out ahead of a speech by the prospective prime minister, who is expected to be installed in No10 next month unopposed in place of Keir Starmer.Makerfield MP Mr Burnham confirmed a flagship proposal to create a 'No10' in the North and ambitions for 'good growth in every postcode', with what allies say is the biggest transfer of power out of Whitehall in modern times. In a speech in Manchester, the former metro mayor called for decision-making to be pushed back into local communities as part of his vision to 'lift Britain back up'.But speaking in London, Mrs Badenoch said his ideas were 'not some radical new agenda, they are old hat' and similar to the Levelling Up agenda of former Tory PM Boris Johnson, albeit stripped of the good bits.'It sounds, from everything we have heard, like his priority is to send money to the north of England to try and bribe voters at the next election,' she added.She warned the country was heading for a 'summer of chaos' because, if crowned in three weeks' time, he would not face parliamentary scrutiny until MPs returns in September. And she also took aim at claims Net Zero supremo Ed Miliband is being lined up for a promotion to chancellor.The Conservative leader lashed out ahead of a speech by the prospective prime minister, who is expected to be installed in No10 next month unopposed in place of Keir Starmer In a speech in Manchester on Monday, the former metro mayor will call for decision-making to be pushed back into local communities as part of his vision to 'lift Britain back up' Mrs Badenoch also took aim at claims Net Zero supremo Ed Miliband is being lined up for a promotion to chancellorShe said the Energy Secretary should instead be sacked for his opposition to expanding oil and gas exploration and exploitation, adding: 'He is the single person who has done the most to de-industrialise our country and make us poorer, he should not be rewarded with an even more powerful job where he can completely bankrupt the country.' In a sign that Burnham hopes to fight and win at least two general elections, the Labour leadership frontrunner will set out a 'ten-year mission' to raise living standards through re-industrialisation, housing, infrastructure and reform of essential utilities. Mr Burnham also announced plans to move part of his prime ministerial operation to the North of England as part of efforts to push power out of Whitehall and into the regions, with a 'No10 North'.But Mrs Badenoch warned that another layer of politicians would not boost growth.She said: 'They will mean more power taken away from Parliament, but more and more government created all over the country.'More politicians, more outsourcing of decisions to bodies with even less scrutiny and accountability.'She added: 'He doesn't have a plan beyond telling mayors to go and sort it out. This is not good enough.'If the former Greater Manchester mayor remains the only candidate for the Labour leadership, his speech will come exactly three weeks before he enters Downing Street.Senior Labour figures have insisted the party is united behind the leadership frontrunner and dismissed the prospect of a general election to secure a mandate for any major shifts in policy.Housing Secretary Steve Reed suggested Sir Keir's likely successor would introduce 'changes in emphasis' but stick to the 'fundamentals' such as the government's rules on borrowing.Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell said the newly-elected MP had built up a 'clear sense of purpose', and insisted people wanted the party to 'get on with the job' of governing.Mr Burnham defied national trends to increase Labour's vote share in the Makerfield by-election this month following its disastrous set of local election results in May, which intensified calls for Sir Keir's resignation.But the party has consistently slumped in the polls for months, and political opponents have called for a general election to come with the change in leader as speculation mounts about his policy platform.
