20th July 2026
A new Prime Minister from Greater Manchester could bring a new approach to how Britain is governed. But could giving more power to English regions also reopen the debate about Scotland's own future?
Andy Burnham has built much of his political reputation around one central argument:
Decisions should be made closer to the people affected by them.
As Mayor of Greater Manchester, he has pushed for greater control over transport, investment and local economic development.
If that philosophy moves from Manchester to Downing Street, it could have consequences far beyond England.
For Scotland, the question will be:
If English regions receive more power, will Scotland argue that it needs more powers too?
More Powers for English Mayors
One of the biggest potential changes under a Burnham government could be a further expansion of English devolution.
England is unusual because, unlike Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it has no separate national parliament.
Instead, power is concentrated heavily in Westminster.
Burnham has long argued that cities and regions should have more control over their own affairs.
A future programme could give mayors greater responsibility for:
transport
housing
skills and training
economic development
investment decisions
Supporters would argue this could make government more responsive.
Critics might ask whether creating powerful English mayors simply creates another layer of government.
Would Scotland Demand More Fiscal Powers?
Scotland already has significant devolved responsibilities, including:
health
education
justice
local government
parts of taxation
But many Scottish politicians argue that Holyrood still lacks sufficient financial control.
If English regions gain more ability to raise and spend money, pressure could increase for Scotland to receive additional powers.
Possible demands could include:
greater control over taxation
more borrowing powers
greater responsibility for welfare spending
increased control over economic development
The argument would be:
"If regions in England can make more decisions locally, why should Scotland have less freedom?"
The Barnett Formula Question[b/]
For many people in Scotland, the most important issue is money.
The Barnett Formula determines how changes in English public spending affect funding available to the devolved administrations.
If a Burnham government increased spending on major English projects—such as transport, housing or infrastructure—Scotland could receive additional funding through Barnett consequentials.
However, the details matter.
A major investment in England may not always create equivalent funding increases for Scotland if the spending area is already devolved or structured differently.
This could lead to fresh debates about whether the current system remains fair.
[b]Could Constitutional Reform Return?
The debate over Scotland's place within the United Kingdom has never disappeared.
A Burnham government could reopen constitutional discussions in several ways:
reforming the House of Lords
expanding regional government
changing financial arrangements
reviewing how power is distributed across the UK
A Prime Minister who believes in decentralising power may find himself facing demands from Scotland for a similar approach.
What Could This Mean for the Highlands?
For communities such as those in Caithness, the practical questions matter most.
Would more local decision-making mean:
greater influence over transport investment?
faster decisions on infrastructure?
more support for rural economies?
more control over energy development?
Or would it simply create more layers of administration?
The Highlands has often argued that decisions made far away do not always reflect local realities.
A wider devolution agenda could therefore create opportunities—but only if power genuinely moves closer to communities.
Energy Could Become a Major Issue
Scotland's role in the UK's energy future would also be important.
Questions around:
North Sea oil and gas
offshore wind
electricity networks
energy security
all involve cooperation between Westminster and Holyrood.
A Burnham government seeking growth and energy security may need to balance different priorities across the UK.
For the north of Scotland, where energy projects are a major economic opportunity, these decisions could have long-term consequences.
The Bigger Question
The arrival of a Prime Minister who has championed regional power could create an unusual situation.
For decades, Scotland has argued that Westminster holds too much control.
Now, an English politician may arrive in Downing Street arguing that England itself needs to become less centralised.
Those two arguments could move closer together.
The debate may shift from:
"Should power move from Westminster to Scotland?"
towards the broader question:
"Should power move away from Westminster altogether?"
Andy Burnham's greatest constitutional challenge may not be Scotland alone.
It may be whether he can redesign the way the whole United Kingdom is governed.
If he succeeds in giving English regions more power, he may strengthen the argument that all parts of the UK should have greater control over their own futures.
For Scotland, the question will be whether that leads to greater partnership within the Union—or renewed demands for a different constitutional settlement.
Earlier Articles In This Series About Possible Scottish Currency Questions
Will People Move to England if Scottish Independence Looks Likely Article 7
[url=https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/32384]Savings, ISAs and Investments in a New Scottish Currency – What Would It Mean for Your Money - Article 6[/url]
Pensions and Independence: What Really Happens - Article 5
Mortgages Under a New Scottish Currency If Scottish Independence Happens - Article 4
How a Scottish Pound Would Be Introduced In An Independent Scotland - Article 3
Currency Choices for an Independent Scotland: The Decision That Shapes Everything - Article 2
What Scotland Pays vs What It Receives Understanding the Fiscal Balance Inside the UK - Article 1