Andy Burnham Pledges Biggest Power Shift from Central Government to Regions

Andy Burnham, Britain's next prime minister and leader of the Labour Party, pledged Friday to deliver the biggest rebalancing of power the country has ever seen. Speaking to party members in central London, Burnham said he would shift authority away from central government and give regional leaders greater control over spending, transport, housing, skills and economic growth.

The plan targets stubborn regional inequality in one of the Western world's most centralized states, according to Japan Times reporting on the speech.

Burnham described the changes as central to his vision for government, though the work will involve significant complexity and potential resistance from central officials.