Andy Burnham was seen celebrating with a touch of dad-dancing to one of Manchester’s most famous bands as the Labour figure prepared for a dramatic move towards Downing Street and a political agenda expected to shift Britain sharply leftwards.
The MP for Makerfield was captured on video clapping and dancing to New Order’s True Faith, a track that includes the striking lyric: “I used to think that the day would never come.”
For Burnham, who has twice previously fallen short in Labour leadership contests, the line carried an unmistakable resonance as he stood on the brink of the top job.
There was another symbolic moment outside Downing Street on Saturday, where a box of saucepans arriving ahead of his expected move into No 10 bore the slogan: “it’ll all pan out.”
The new Labour leader is due to be appointed Prime Minister by the King on Monday, although preparations for the transition into No 10 are already beginning over the weekend.
Burnham is expected to face a packed first agenda, with major policy announcements anticipated on issues ranging from fresh North Sea drilling to proposals that would give Labour mayors a role in income tax powers.
The developments follow remarks by the former Mayor of Greater Manchester on Friday, when he referred to the “wrong turns” of the 1980s and blamed capitalism for many of the challenges facing Britain.
According to reports, the Treasury is preparing to hand over proposals for a system of income tax “sharing” as part of the incoming administration’s early policy work.
The department is said to be drawing up plans to give English mayors a share of income tax revenue from their area, designed to encourage local authorities to pursue higher growth.
The MP for Makerfield was filmed dancing and clapping along to True Faith by New Order
It’ll all pan out: Saucepans and pillows arrive at Downing Street on Saturday
Items arrive at Downing Street ahead of Andy Burnham’s move to No10
Kitchen appliances were among the items arriving in Downing Street on Saturday afternoon
Current Chancellor Rachel Reeves already drew up plans earlier this year to ‘give regional leaders control of a share of some national taxes’ – a departure from the usual policy, which sees the Treasury hold all income tax.
Under the new policy to be presented to Burnham, the seven most senior regional mayoralties would all see the change.
It would apply to mayors in London, the West Midlands, Liverpool, the North East, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, as well as Greater Manchester, a seat that is currently vacant due to Burnham’s return to the Commons.
The policy is said to have been accelerated since Burnham’s election, and he has repeatedly called for more ‘fiscal devolution’ to give mayors powers to raise taxes through measures such as tourist levies and local transport control.
Around 75 per cent of England’s population live under a mayoralty.
Other policies trailed by camp Burnham include new drilling in oil and gas fields in the North Sea.
It comes after fierce debate over the future of two oil and gas fields in Scotland – Rosebank and Jackdaw – where licences were approved in 2022 and 2023 before being overturned last year.
Sir Keir Starmer previously faced criticism over his opposition to drilling for fossil fuels, arguing granting new licences does not mean cheaper bills for customers, as proponents claim.
But any new licences could mark a further falling out between him and current Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who is likely to receive a cabinet job.
Other policy declarations expected are plans to nationalise water and energy firms and initiate a council house building programme.
The former Manchester mayor is set to unveil measures to tackle the cost of living and ‘grasp the nettle’ that is social care reform.
He is also said to be considering capping bus fares at £2 across the country – something he previously enacted in Greater Manchester.
A toilet hire company was also seen arriving at Downing Street on Saturday
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Burnham danced and then clapped along to the Manchester band’s hit
It came after Andy Burnham gave his first speech as Labour leader on Friday
On Friday, after being confirmed as the new Labour leader he spoke at TUC headquarters in London and pledged to ‘take power back from Westminster and Whitehall and give it to the place where you live’.
After footage emerged of Burnham’s dancing, the public was quick to give their opinions on his skills, with some drawing parallels to Theresa May’s infamous awkward moves.
The choice of song would have no doubt pleased the Labour Leader, who is a well-documented fan of New Order.
He previously named their album Power, Corruption and Lies as one of his favourite ever releases.
Some labelled the moves as ‘cringe’ while others joked how politicians dancing immediately made them dislike the song.
Elsewhere, Burnham is still ‘finalising’ his cabinet after feverish speculation in Westminster over his choice of chancellor, with allies on Labour’s left favouring Ed Miliband but reports suggesting Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will get the crucial role.
Burnham said there had been ‘too much’ speculation and he would announce his ministerial team on Monday.
‘I am finalising those decisions, and I will come to conclusions very shortly, and then I will announce those on Monday,’ he said.
It means there is not yet any clarity about Mr Burnham’s policies, or how they might differ from Sir Keir’s agenda.
Business and unions have been alarmed at the idea of ‘Red’ Ed Miliband being made Chancellor – a prospect that seems to have receded.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood – who announced Mr Burnham’s victory in her capacity as chairman of the ruling NEC – is now being tipped for the crucial job.
However, there is a backlash under way from Left-wing MPs who are desperate for Mr Miliband in No11.
In his first speech as Labour leader he also said the party was facing its ‘last chance to change’ but he promised to ‘bring back hope’.
He will become prime minister after Sir Keir Starmer visits Buckingham Palace to offer his resignation to the King on Monday.
Burnham will then see the King to ‘kiss hands’ and be invited to take over as prime minister before getting the chance to set out his vision to the country from Downing Street.
He is expected to use the speech to set out plans to give people ‘breathing space’ on the cost of living and highlight his core theme of devolving power from Whitehall to regions across the UK.
That devolution process will be driven from Burnham’s ‘No 10 North’ in Manchester, which he is expected to visit during his first week in power.
Allies said Burnham will set out policies aimed at making people’s lives easier with a promise of delivering tangible change as soon as possible.
He has already begun to receive national security briefings ahead of his formal appointment and has talked to officials about his priorities in office and the first events he will go to as prime minister.
