4


Certainly, a lot of things are out of our rulers’ control, whatever their political colour. The war in Ukraine and the Iran conflict are just two examples.


However, recent policies that have put added pressure on already struggling businesses, have not helped. And there certainly seems a growing disconnect between the business community and government when it comes to issues like job creation, raising productivity and investing in the future.


Whoever is PM when the dust settles, we hope that they will start listening more closely to businesses. And not just the big players, but the SMEs and the family firms that show resilience and drive and want to play their part in making the country successful.


If, as likely, it is former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham in the hot-seat, we also hope that heralds a better deal for this part of the country when it comes to investment in infrastructure and the tools that we need to drive our economy forward.


There are some encouraging signs around a possible Burnham premiership. He has unveiled plans for a ‘Number 10 North’, declaring that it will be the ‘nerve centre of a re-wired Britain’. Devolution is set to play a major part in that initiative.


As we move into the summer of 2026, Lancashire businesses may be forgiven for thinking ‘here we go again’.


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With the resignation of a sitting Prime Minister – forced out by his MPs – and yet another tenant heading to Downing Street, little wonder there is a sense of déjà vu in the air.


When Labour came to power, we were promised an end to the chaos that saw the front entrance to Number 10 become a revolving door for a procession of Conservative PMs.


Now, just some two years into his premiership, Sir Keir Starmer is exiting, with the so-called ‘King of the North’ Andy Burnham looking likely to be given the keys to Downing Street.


We often comment on these pages about the


Richard Slater publisher richard@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295584


Ged Henderson editor editor@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295585


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need for stability in order for our businesses to thrive. Business leaders would be forgiven for asking quite reasonably, when will we see it?


The political buzzword for quite some time now has been ‘change’ which, the pundits tell us, the country is crying out for. We’d suggest that when it comes to change, it is needed, not in a continuing merry-go-round of leaders, but in the way that government interacts with business.


He has also spoken about backing British business through public procurement changes and an education system that offers academic and technical paths in equal balance.


The proof, as always, will be in delivery. Burnham talks about a ‘last chance to change’. Lancashire businesses will be hoping for change that lasts and they get a chance to do what they do best – with the support of a government that better understands the role they play.


When it comes to change, it is needed, not in a


continuing merry-go-round of leaders, but in the way that government interacts with business


Joanne Hindley sales director joanne@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295585


Rob Kelly multimedia journalist rob@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 297870


Farah Cheema marketing lead farah@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295587


Abigail Swarbrick administrator abigail@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295582


Paula Walsh finance assistant paula@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 297870


Lancashire Business View is written, designed and produced in Lancashire by Northpoint Publishing.


Lancashire Business View and LBV are registered trademarks.


The views expressed by our columnists are not necessarily shared by Lancashire Business View.


Photography: Clive Lawrence, Paul Adams and Liz Henson Photography.


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