Dear readers — it is a momentous day. Andy Burnham has just stepped into Downing Street as the United Kingdom's seventh prime minister in 10 years, and the first Greater Manchester MP to become Prime Minister since Arthur Balfour in 1902. His path from northern insurgent to the top job has captured the imagination of the country.
Burnham became Labour leader on Friday, which meant the weekend was filled with feverish speculation about who will make up his cabinet. Greater Manchester MPs Lucy Powell and Angela Rayner are expected to receive roles, though nothing has been confirmed yet.
Now, all eyes will be on his first few weeks in No.10, and his new No.10 North office — a few hundred metres from where this briefing is being typed. In today’s MEN, Burnham wrote a letter addressed to the people of Greater Manchester, in which he thanked them “for backing me when it mattered most,” and concluded that “now it is time to take Manchesterism to the country.” After a year of theorising how that would work, we will finally see it in practice.
TfGM are carrying out tram improvement works at Deansgate-Castlefield and Trafford Bar
From 13th July to 2nd August there will be:
• No trams on the Altrincham, Eccles and The Trafford Centre lines.
• No trams on the Manchester Airport and East Didsbury lines between Firswood and the city centre.
• Rochdale trams will terminate at Exchange Square.
Travelling towards the city centre? A replacement bus will call at all affected tram stops (except Pomona), terminating at Piccadilly.
Travelling away from the city centre? Head to Piccadilly and follow signs for replacement buses. Buses will depart from Whitworth Street or Aytoun Street towards your destination.
You must pay before you board the replacement bus: tap in and out at tram stops as usual, or buy a 1-day Bee Bus ticket on the Bee Network app.
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Burnham promises to end rough sleeping — again
Andy Burnham was welcomed by friends and allies at Downing Street today ahead of his first speech as prime minister. In the crowd was Liverpool’s metro mayor Steve Rotheram (and, in his own words, Burnham’s “bezzie mate”), senior figures from Greater Manchester’s local political world including Bury Council leader Eamonn O’Brien and ex-Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah. Also present was a certain former night time economy advisor to the mayor who last year was asked to repay over £400,000 his company misleadingly obtained from the Arts Council. That’s right Millers, Sacha Lord is on the steps of Downing Street. More here as we get it.
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