OFF THE FENCE: Andy Burnham - King of the (Portsmouth) North

“He’s for us.” That’s what one voter said about Andy Burnham during his by-election campaign in Makerfield. It stuck with me because politics is at its best when people feel someone is genuinely on their side.

People often ask me whether Andy really “gets” the South. After all, he’s become known as the “King of the North”. But every conversation I’ve had with him about Portsmouth tells me he understands something important: the divide isn’t really North versus South; it’s places that have been invested in versus places that have been ignored.

Portsmouth knows what that feels like.

When the dockyard shrank, it was never properly replaced with the jobs and investment the city deserved and too often, council attention seems to stop at Guildhall Square. Communities in the north of the city can feel forgotten, despite their enormous potential. We have world-class heritage, a proud naval history and brilliant people but for too long we’ve been expected to make do.

That’s why Andy’s vision matters. He believes decisions should be made closer to the people they affect, not by civil servants in London who may never have set foot in Portsmouth. Devolution has transformed Manchester. In Portsmouth, it could give communities the power to improve transport, build affordable homes, support local businesses, improve education and shape their own future.

I am incredibly proud of the work this Labour government has achieved under Keir Starmer. We have fixed the foundations, stabilised our economy, and made a huge difference for some of the most vulnerable in our society.

Half a million children lifted out of poverty. The fastest fall in NHS waiting lists for 17 years. The biggest improvement in rights for workers and renters in a generation. The biggest uplift in defence spending since the Cold War.

These are not things to be snivelled at. Thanks to Labour, Britain is undoubtedly in a better place now than it was at the last General Election. But if we’re serious about rebuilding Britain, we have to go further and make sure cities like Portsmouth are no longer an afterthought.

The Conservatives and Reform offer more centralisation, more division and more of the politics that left too many of us behind.

Portsmouth doesn’t need sympathy. It needs investment, ambition and a government willing to trust local people.

Andy Burnham understands that. That’s why I believe he is for Portsmouth too.