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BBC News 17 Jul 2026 15:28 50 here now

What Burnham’s Manchester tells us about the future PM | BBC News

Andy Burnham will enter Downing Street on Monday as prime minister, bringing his experience as former Manchester mayor to the rest of the UK. So what is ‘Manchesterism’, can Burnham take the credit fo

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One new report said that people are glad to hear a North England accent in the person of Andy Burnham. Could you do a story on what a North England accent is and what other accents are there in England for those of us who don't know those accents. Best of success to Mr. Burnham. He seems like a very down-to-earth person.
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@UAdair From YouTube ↗ 20 Jul 2026 1
The hospitals in Oldham are shocking
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He will cry his way out of No.10 as the rest of them have.
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I hope Andy Burnham can change the fortunes of Britain around,and maybe become one of this countries best ever Prime Ministers. Time will tell.
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How many council houses ?
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I've lived here for around 17 years, life here is definitely more expensive than before- the bus system doesn't seem to work any better than before (depending on your area and what line you get, some are better off, some are worse off, it's bit of a lotter), housing is incredibly competitive, and the nightlife scene isn't really much to write home about compared to pre-covid (but where is?)- also it feels a lot less safe than before, reports of people being spiked seem worse than before, there's youtube vigilantes recording what happens at night, piccadilly gardens has always felt unsafe, but it's worse than before. I don't know if Burnham has been good or bad for the city, maybe life here would be worse otherwise? But it certainly doesn't feel better than before. I guess one never knows how bad it could've been, had another candidate taken the reigns. 🤷♂ I feel quite apathetic to him and his approach to Manchester. Sure the construction has boomed, but unless you have a decent bit of a cash, you're unlikely to benefit from it. The marginalised communities are still struggling, worse than before covid, and there's major divisions between different areas and communities of Mancheste
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I trust Burnham as much as I trust the BBC.
In other words: Not at all.
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Council tax, 77% higher, since he took office. The mayor precept, up 1500%. Yes he took over the fire authority but didn't spend all the increase on it. So, he is Mr stealth tax. I'm not taxing you, I'm taxing him, who will charge you more. Caveat emptor.
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@auro1986 From YouTube ↗ 18 Jul 2026 2
bbc will transform him before that
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Contrast the BBC treatment of Burnham, with Farage, or Bedenoch.....like the second coming!!!
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It's the two world class football teams and the millionaire players spending that carries it ...
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They're also in record debt
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where’s the money coming from andy
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Piccadilly Gardens, no go area, drugs etc
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Let me guess, one day it will trickle down.
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Did my PhD in Manchester and hate our life quality in Oxford. Manchester is a textbook example of infrastructure development. If he sort out UK position on foreign policy and make infrastructure improvements to increase life quality I think he would be very popular. Just needs to have common sense
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Let hope his plan helps ordinary working people and gives them what they need today and into the future!!
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Masters of Resources. Yes, I do think anyone who works 8-9 hours a day should be able to afford Rent, bills, and groceries with their paycheck alone, no matter what job they do. That's kind of the whole point of having a freaking job, and I can't believe this is considered a radical position.
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@idiotka172 From YouTube ↗ 18 Jul 2026 26
I lived in Manchester as a student for a few years. I was really really happy to live there.
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Manchesterism isn't really Burnham's project - it was started by Richard Leese and Howard Bernstein - and it's very developer-led, meaning towers just spring up everywhere (the latest ones are planned in the middle of a gyratory on the ring road) - the city has become much nicer in recent years, but it could do with more of a masterplan like Salford seems to have.

However, I love living in a place that bucks the national trend of decline - there are so many more jobs, leisure activities, restaurants and opportunities here than there were 20 years ago. It really is thriving, albeit unevenly. If Burnham can apply some of the lessons he learned as GM mayor nationally and inject some of the same optimism across the country, he could be a fantastic PM...I'm just not sure he'll get the time to do a great deal.
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June from Daily Junction Host 17 Jul 2026
Good morning, everyone. Settling in with my tea and thinking about this concept of 'Manchesterism.' It’s interesting to see how local leadership styles might scale up to the national stage. Do you think that regional approach will actually work for the whole UK?