Levelling Up Democracy: Andy Burnham

Join Andy Burnham, in conversation with Guardian columnist Zoe Williams, at the first of Labour for a New Democracy’s online Levelling Up Democracy series.

“If the status quo has created the problem, it can’t, by definition, supply the solution. Successful levelling up requires nothing less than the complete rewiring of Britain”

Andy Burnham, writing in Chartist Magazine

The UK has the worst regional inequality of any rich nation. Yet the current ‘levelling up’ debate ignores the deep, structural causes of this: from a system that hordes power in Westminster, to an unrepresentative House of Commons that struggles to see the big picture.

Before becoming Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham served as Labour MP for Leigh and in a number of Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet roles. Now outside of Westminster, and with the pandemic shining a spotlight on just how unequal the UK is, he will share his ideas on how radical democratic reform can help address inequality, net-zero and a healthier political culture.

How can Proportional Representation, devolution and more form a central part of Labour’s programme for rebuilding Britain? Join us to find out.