Andy Burnham, the Labour lawmaker expected to replace Keir Starmer as British prime minister, said on Monday his future government would allow all parts of the country to take greater public control of essential services such as water.
In his first speech in Manchester, northern England, since returning to Westminster after winning a parliamentary seat, Burnham said stronger oversight was needed to improve outcomes and accountability in essential services.
He said the party would also support areas in establishing "good growth funds" aimed at backing local priorities and widening economic opportunity beyond London, as part of a broader push to rebalance regional economies.
Burnham is currently the only declared candidate to take over from Starmer and could be made prime minister next month.