Central Lobby - July 2026: Andy Burnham looks set to become the UK's next Prime Minister

Andy Burnham looks increasingly likely to become the next Labour leader – and the UK's next Prime Minister. He's long argued that England is too centralised, promising to shift power out of Westminster, create a northern base for Number 10 in Manchester and hand more control to mayors and local leaders. But if power moves north... where does that leave the Midlands? Could the region finally get the influence it's been promised, or is there a danger it gets squeezed between London and an increasingly powerful North? Antonia Bance, Peter Bedford, and Helen Morgan debate what an Andy Burnham premiership could mean for the Midlands. For more of the biggest news stories in the UK and around the world, visit the ITV News YouTube channel:    / @itvnews   • Subscribe to ITV News In Full on YouTube:    / @itvnewsinfull   • Get breaking news and more stories at http://www.itv.com/news Follow ITV News on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@itvnews?lang=en Follow ITV News on Instagram:   / itvnews   Follow ITV News on Facebook:   / itvnews   Follow ITV News on X:   / itvnews   These programmes may be edited to comply with copyright agreements.