Manchesterism en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱes- Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Indo-European *-trom Proto-Indo-European *ḱstrom Proto-Italic *kastrom Latin castrum Latin castrabor. Old English ceasterder. Old English Mameċeaster Middle English [Term?] English Manchester Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íd͏̌d͏̌ō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Indo-European *-mos Proto-Indo-European *-mós Ancient Greek -μός (-mós) Ancient Greek -ισμός (-ismós)der. English -ism English Manchesterism From Manchester + -ism.
Meanings
- (historical, uncountable) A sociopolitical and economic movement of the 19th century that originated in Manchester, England, and argued that free trade would lead to a more equitable society, making essential products available to all.
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(UK, uncountable) A form of municipal socialism particularly associated with Greater Manchester under mayor Andy Burnham, focused on devolving public services to local public control, and attracting investment through partnerships.
As befits an advocate of “Manchesterism”, Burnham emphasised that he was “place first rather than party first”, citing the support he had attracted from “traditional Conservatives” across three elections.
2025 October 7, George Eaton, “Andy Burnham returns to the fray”, in The New Statesman, archived from the original on 19 Nov 2025: