Does being a good mayor make you a good prime minister?
The role of a mayor and its potential to prepare someone for the position of prime minister is being discussed in relation to Andy Burnham's potential candidacy. Burnham, who gained fame as the mayor of Greater Manchester, hopes to apply his approach to the entire country. The question of whether being a good mayor translates to being a good prime minister is explored through interviews with serving and former mayors.
- ▪Andy Burnham is considering a run for prime minister and hopes to apply his mayoral approach to the country.
- ▪Labour Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward notes that mayors have more power than junior ministers.
- ▪Former Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street warns that the job of mayor is totally different from being prime minister in terms of financial responsibility and party management.
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Podcasts Westminster Insider Does being a good mayor make you a good prime minister? By Sascha O'Sullivan June 26, 2026 4:00 am CET Copy Link Copied Share via email Share on X Share on WhatsApp Share on LinkedIn The Greater Manchester mayoralty made Andy Burnham famous. Now he’s hoping he can take the approach he developed in the city to the whole country. This week on Westminster Insider, host Sascha O’Sullivan speaks to four serving mayors — and one former one about whether the role will prepare Burnham for the highest office in the land. Labour Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward, who was a minister in Gordon Brown’s government, told Sascha that mayors have much more power than junior minister.
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