There is a particular kind of leader who can walk into a room full of skeptics and win them over with their calm and persuasive demeanor. Andy Street is that leader. He has a way of convincing even the most hardened critics that he is the right person for the job.
Recently, I had the chance to spend an afternoon listening to Street lay out his vision for Prosper UK, a movement he has launched with Ruth Davidson to win back the seven million voters who feel they have nowhere left to put their cross. What struck me most was his commitment to competence as a political philosophy. In an era where politicians often promise the moon and deliver little, Street is a breath of fresh air.
As the former managing director of John Lewis, a company that has consistently demonstrated its ability to run a successful business without bankrupting the nation, Street has a proven track record of success. His seven years as Mayor of the West Midlands were marked by significant job creation and investment, a testament to his ability to get things done.
Prosper UK is the same instinct dressed for national service. Street and Davidson believe that there are seven million Britons who share their values of enterprise, sound money, and effective public services, but feel that no party will own all three at once. The movement has already attracted tens of thousands of supporters, a clear indication of the hunger for change.
Street's approach is rooted in the centre ground, where the majority of the country lives and works. He understands that this is where the real action happens, and that's where politicians should focus their efforts.
In contrast to Street's calm and competent approach, Andy Burnham is a more bombastic figure. His "No 10 North" plan to decentralize decision-making from Whitehall to Manchester is a bold move, but it's not the only solution to the country's problems.
What's striking is that both Street and Burnham are arguing for the same thing when it comes to the economy: a more decentralized and empowered Britain. They both believe that the British state is too centralized and timid, and that a metro mayor with real powers can make a real difference.
The Institute for Government has documented the impact of Greater Manchester's mayoralty, which has become a template for the rest of the country. Business leaders and academics alike agree that devolution is key to tackling regional disparities and building a stronger economy.
So why is it that I'm urging the incoming Prime Minister to take a quiet cup of tea with a Conservative he beat to nothing? It's because Burnham has the mandate and Street has the manual. Burnham is a brilliant campaigner, but running a national economy is not a rally – it's hard graft, and Street has the experience to deliver.
Street has a unique ability to get things done, and to keep the private sector involved in the process. He's built a track record of success, and his approach is more likely to deliver results than Burnham's more bombastic style.
The next Prime Minister would do well to listen to Street's advice and learn from his experience. The economy is too important to be left in the hands of people who merely agree with you.
