What does 'Manchesterism' mean for the West?

In Andy Burnham's first major speech last week, he spoke about the importance of "place".

The man who is widely expected to be the next prime minister even mentioned the south west as somewhere his new No.10 North would put power into.

Business leaders, university experts and politicians across the West Country have reacted to Burnham's vision for government.

Although some have welcomed the plans, others remain sceptical.

A big part of Burnham's plan is about devolution - taking power out of Westminster and putting it into communities.

While there is a lack of detail at this stage, a lot of money and power is controlled centrally in Westminster compared to some European countries and some think it is a good thing for local people to have more of a say.

"We've lived for decades in a tussle, a tension, between central government saying this is how we would like you to do it and local people saying I don't think that's how we would like to do it," Prof Matthew Reed, head of research at the University of Gloucestershire, said.

"Generally central government won, if that were not the case, then we could see some real dynamism, unleashed."

Dr Sam Power, a politics lecturer at the University of Bristol feels whether devolution can be replicated on a large scale is an "open question".

He said devolution can be "incredibly challenging", especially as turnout in local elections is often very low.

"The powers have got to be used not just by Helen Godwin as the WECA mayor, but also by the people to actually turn up and get involved, that's a real challenge that devolution faces more broadly."

The Somerset Chamber of Commerce feels that Manchesterism could work just as well in rural areas as it does in cities.

"If Manchesterism is about trusting places to make decisions for themselves, then Somerset deserves the same opportunity," said David Crew, the chamber's managing director.

"Somerset has enormous potential and local leaders are best placed to help unlock it."

The Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), Helen Godwin, described No.10 North as a "big moment".

"What that's saying is we can do these things in the regions, we don't always need to be focused on London," she said.

Burnham specifically mentioned the south west in his speech, which Godwin feels was no accident.

"Andy is a real fan of the west of England," she said.

"He's really into culture and music and I think he gets excited about our contribution in that. I haven't seen him drink a cider though, maybe next time he comes."

In Swindon there is an ongoing conflict about what a combined authority might look like, let alone the wider devolution of powers that might come with more metro mayors like in Manchester.

Last month, doubt was cast over a proposed Thames Valley combined authority between Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Swindon after some Liberal Democrat leaders opposed Swindon's inclusion and the lack of a mayor.

But there is still an appetite locally for devolved powers and budgets.

"For Swindon, I'd rather see devolution that strengthens local councils and communities, with decisions taken as close to residents as possible," Conservative Swindon borough councillor Vinay Manro said.

Burnham has also mentioned business rate reform.

Hands off our Pubs (HOOP) is a group started in the Forest of Dean which campaigns for business rate reform and VAT reduction in the hospitality sector.

Mark Terry-Lush, one of the group's founders, thinks pubs are central to the 'growth in every postcode' agenda Burnham has talked about.

"For every viable business that becomes non-viable and closes down, you're losing not just the number of people it's employing and the potential tax from that, it's the whole supply chain that relies on it," Terry-Lush said.

While reducing business rates or VAT would mean fewer taxes for the treasury, Phil Kiernan, owner of the Farmer's Boy in Longhope and fellow HOOP founder, argues that it would allow businesses to grow and employ more people.

"I just think he can fix it really quickly and put the feel good factor in, not just hospitality but small business," Kiernan said.

"Before we know it 'this guy's alright, he's putting a few quid back in our pockets'."

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