Burnham Signals Electoral Reform and Tax Powers for Mayors
Andy Burnham has signalled a shift towards electoral reform, saying compulsory voting was “on the table”, and floated giving England’s city mayors a share of income-tax revenue, in interviews marking his first weekend as Prime Minister. The proposals, trailed after his appearance on the BBC, point to a devolutionary, reforming instinct as he seeks to define his government.
Mr Burnham, long an advocate of devolving power from Westminster, suggested he wanted mayors to retain a portion of the income tax raised in their cities to fund local growth — an idea likely to alarm the Treasury. His openness to compulsory voting and other electoral changes revives a debate Labour has long skirted. Coming days after he launched a “Number 10 North” in Manchester, the moves sketch a distinctive agenda, though critics question the cost and the constitutional implications. Watch whether these hints firm into concrete plans, and how his Chancellor responds.