Britain’s next prime minister, Andy Burnham, is set to take his small-town regeneration model from Greater Manchester to the national stage, focusing on reversing the decline of post-industrial towns. In Middleton, a former cotton-manufacturing town, a large car park and major roads have reduced the center to a “drive-through,” symbolizing failed development. Burnham’s plan uses public money to prime housing, transport, and urban renewal, aiming to attract private investment and restore local pride. The Middleton Mayoral Development Corporation, launched last year, is considering up to 1,200 new homes, commercial spaces, and green areas. This approach is a key political test for Labour, as Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, gains ground in such areas.