Nigel Farage savages Andy Burnham after bombshell plan revealed | Politics | News
Nigel Farage has slammed Andy Burnham’s plan to increase devolution and warned it would do nothing to improve the lives of ordinary Britons. The Reform UK leader blasted the proposals after the wannabe PM made a major speech in Manchester to commit to “the biggest transfer of power from Whitehall in modern times”.
Speaking at the People’s History Museum this morning, Mr Burnham promised to “retool Britain” by giving regional mayors sweeping new powers and creating a “Number 10 North”. The Makerfield MP, who is on track to enter Downing Street next month, has drawn up a 10-year plan which he claims will “get Britain back on its feet” and give the country “the circuit breaker it needs”.
Westminster said Westminster had been “broken” since the financial crisis of 2008, leaving the country in a “rut” and stressed that growth “can only be nurtured from the bottom up”. But Mr Farage ripped the plan, questioning whether devolution would improve life in parts of Britain that already had it.
In a video published on X, he said: “Ask yourself, has devolution in London by Mayor Sadiq Khan made London’s streets safer? No.” He added: “Has devolution in Wales given them a better NHS or education? No, they are the worst in the country.”
Mr Farage continued: “Has devolution in Scotland cleaned up Scottish politics? I guess the recent jailing of one of the SNP’s former bosses means no.” The reform leader argued that giving more powers to local government would do nothing to stop small boat crossings or reduce the national debt.
He said: “[Mr Burnham] He says it will take 10 years to get Britain back to where it should be.” Mr Farage added: “I would suggest to those who believe Britain is falling apart that they say we don’t have 10 years left. “What the country wants is urgent action.”
Mr Burnham refused to take questions from reporters at the event and repeatedly refused to explain his wider plans or how they would be paid for. The former Mayor of Manchester also refused to call a General Election, despite repeated demands that the Conservatives do so each time they change leaders.
He is also expected to give more powers to unions, leading to accusations that he is ceding power to left-wing union barons.
