Manchesterism goes global – can Andy Burnham change Britain's place in the world?

Following Andy Burnham’s appointment as Britain's Prime Minister, there is renewed interest in what some have described as ‘Manchesterism’ – a political philosophy rooted in place, economic renewal and the belief that national prosperity begins with strong local communities. 

But if this approach were to shape government thinking, what could it mean beyond Britain’s borders?

This episode explores whether a place-based politics could shift Britain’s foreign policy. Would international engagement be judged less by Britain’s global status and more by whether it delivers prosperity and security for communities at home? Could trade, diplomacy and development become tools of regional renewal? 

Any new government would also inherit profound constraints. With pressure to increase defence spending, sluggish economic growth and difficult choices over taxation and public services, how would a Manchesterist approach balance competing priorities? What role would overseas development assistance play? And what happens to Britain’s soft power if resources become increasingly scarce? 

More broadly, does Britain need a different organising principle for foreign policy in an era where domestic resilience and international engagement are becoming increasingly intertwined? 

Guests

• Sara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODI Global
• Roli Ashtana, Senior Advisor, ODI Global & Senior Research Associate at South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)
• Laura Chappell, Associate director for international policy, IPPR
• Kate Ferguson, Co-Executive Director, Protection Approaches

Related resources

• Burnham, Manchesterism and the return of place in foreign policy (LSE blog, by Roli Ashtana)
  
  
• Navigating trade-offs in the global economy: A framework for a world between orders (Report, IPPR)