Andy Burnham's dream of devolution is a type of "evangelism" according to a Christian commentator.

Becky Miles from Christians in Politics was talking to Premier Christian News as the newly-elected MP for Makerfield set out his vision for the UK, if he becomes the next Prime Minister.

At a speech in Manchester, he described Westminster as "broken" and said he would give Britain the “circuit-breaker” it needs by building more collaborative politics.

Outlining plans to devolve power out of the centre he wants to create a "Number Ten of the North" based in Manchester that would be the "nerve-centre of a rewired Britain".

Becky Miles told Premier she would welcome a “reset” because “there’s clearly a severe problem of trust in politicians and in Westminster”.

Although describing Burnham as coming from a “very northern perspective”, she said devolution is a type of evangelism because God talks about “counting every hair on our head, and the story of the lost sheep which shows how He cares for the individual and for every community”.

She added that there are many people in “coastal towns, rural communities as well, who feel very forgotten at the moment, and if we are wanting to bring God's kingdom to earth, if we're wanting people to be seen and validated like God models to us, I think devolution could be a really good answer to that, if it's done well”.

Burnham, who will become Prime Minister if no other candidate puts themselves forward by the close of nominations in July, spoke of “hope” and talked of reforming essential utilities, re-industrialisation and regeneration.

Asked whether this sounded like “revival”, Becky Miles said it was important to implement change well rather than rushing to make “quick fixes”.  And she urged people to “pray that we start to have a more community perspective on political change rather than what's in it for me. I think that's really important”.