In a June 29 speech — his first major policy address since returning to Parliament after a by-election — Burnham said he would enable local authorities to “take greater public control of water, housing, energy and transport” as part of a 10‑year devolution drive that includes a “Number 10 of the North” in Manchester and an order for central departments to resource “threadbare” local authorities. He is expected to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer from as early as 20 July if no other leadership contender enters the race.