Mr BrigoMr Rose said - "So he apparently intends to transfer power away from central government to elected mayors on the model of Manchester. Apart from the fact that he ha no mandate to carry out sweeping changes to the way the country is governed"You said in your typically graceless manner - "ohhhhhhhh dear - wrong again. Do you never wonder if you should fact check yourself to save me the effort of doing it for you? Or just too lazy?"And you quote from the Labour Party manifesto on this issue. "In England, Labour will deepen devolution settlements for existing Combined Authorities. We will also widen devolution to more areas, encouraging local authorities to come together and take on new powers. Towns and cities will be able to take hold of the tools they need to pursue growth, create jobs, and improve living standards. Local areas will be able to gain new powers over transport, adult education and skills, housing and planning, and employment support.We will provide greater flexibility with integrated settlements for Mayoral Combined Authorities that can show exemplary management of public money".Perhaps you can explain what this waffle actually means.And further more according to BBC News - "In an address at the People's History Museum in Manchester, the new MP for nearby Makerfield will say as prime minister he would "give Britain the circuit breaker it needs".His inner circle describe it as "the foundational text" of his programme for government.As such, it is expected to be broad based.***It is not thought he will take any questions from reporters afterwards***, which will likely raise eyebrows from some given his lack of a mandate from the electorate.His team insist this won't be part of "a pattern" of avoiding scrutiny - but that will come later in the campaign.Central to his plans is handing more power to politicians beyond Westminster, in what is claimed would be "the biggest transfer of power out of Whitehall in modern times".However, it isn't thought his ideas would be as significant as the setting up of the Scottish and Welsh parliaments and the Northern Ireland Assembly, nor the introduction of regional mayors in England.Instead, it is expected that he will argue that nowhere near enough has been done to empower politicians outside London to do as much as they could.Allies of the former mayor of Greater Manchester say Burnham's time in that job proved to him "how resistant Whitehall can be to devolution", as one put it, and that he wanted that to change.One idea, described as a "flagship proposal", is the creation of what is being called a "No10 North" - with a part of the prime minister's operation being based in Manchester.The aim is that this unit would be "to drive devolution" and it would be responsible for "good growth in every postcode" of the UK.One source emphasised this would not be about favouring the north of England - there would be attention paid to the other English regions and to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, they said.Burnham will also talk of his desire for what he calls "public control" of energy, water and transport - but a central question will be how much detail he offers about what he would want to do and on what timescale.How much state intervention would he seek and how close might it be to nationalisation?"Hence is not Mr Rose's comment a good precis of Burnham's intentions ?Answers please.Oh and are you planning to open a "Brigo Well Woman Clinic" for the poor shawl and clog wearing ladies of Manchester ?
John Hawkes ● 18d