‘This is Manchester, we do things differently here' is a quote often attributed to the iconoclastic Tony Wilson. Whether this man of many things ever said it is a matter of some debate. Regardless, the apocryphal quote sounds credible as it summons up the late 20th century Madchester moment. Then, the city's music, fashion and cultural movements that Tony Wilson made a significant contribution to made Manchester the cultural capital of the UK. This was quite against the odds for a city that was otherwise perceived to be on a post-industrial decline.
The quote also carries with it the same sensibility that enabled Andy Burnham this year to be catapulted from Mayor of Greater Manchester to Prime Minister, and could equally be attributed to him. By carefully aligning himself with the ‘Manchester Spirit' (collectivist community values with an individualist, entrepreneurial drive) Andy Burnham has dangled the possibility of a new approach to politics and achieved the highest office in the process.
