Key facts
- Michael Bloomberg's leadership program in 2017 influenced Andy Burnham's political profile.
- Burnham attended a U.S. mayors' leadership program funded by Bloomberg, which he described as 'life-changing'.
- The program inspired Burnham to adopt a more influential, U.S.-style approach to city leadership.
- Burnham is contesting a parliamentary by-election on June 18.
Michael Bloomberg, founder of the financial data firm, has significantly influenced Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, as Burnham seeks to raise his political profile.
Burnham met Bloomberg in 2017, shortly after his election as mayor, when he attended a three-day leadership program for mayors in New York. The program, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and run by Harvard University, exposed Burnham to American city leaders who possessed considerable 'gravitas,' a concept he detailed in his 2024 book 'Head North.'
Burnham and Bloomberg have maintained a relationship since the program, with occasional meetings and interactions on social media. Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region and a fellow attendee of the 2017 program, noted that the trip was 'cathartic,' showing them that city leaders could operate beyond the perceived strictures of the UK government.
This exposure to U.S.-style mayoral influence is seen as instrumental in Burnham's current political trajectory, including his bid in a June 18 parliamentary by-election. Despite apparent differences in their public personas and political narratives—Burnham advocating for a 'names-not-numbers approach' versus Bloomberg's data-driven policy, or Burnham's critique of bond markets versus Bloomberg's financial background—their connection persists.
Henri Murison, CEO of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, suggested that Burnham's 'Manchesterism' philosophy of devolved power and investment shares similarities with Bloomberg's economic approach, even if it contrasts with Burnham's current political messaging. The program also involved other notable figures, including former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg, who later became U.S. Transportation Secretary.
Attendees like Ben Houchen, the Conservative mayor of Tees Valley, offered a more critical view of the program, describing it as 'very technocratic, it’s very woke, and very left-wing,' and populated by a 'bubble, liberal, very wealthy people.' However, Rotheram highlighted the program's core message about the growing importance of cities in finding solutions to global problems and the value of sharing best practices, including the use of data and AI.