Andy Burnham, MP for Makerfield and likely successor to Labour leader Keir Starmer, pledged to implement the "biggest change in our lifetimes" on Monday [1].
The proposal represents a fundamental shift in the British governance model by attempting to break the concentration of political power in London. By establishing a secondary center of executive authority, Burnham aims to address long-standing regional inequalities between the north of England and the capital [2].
Speaking at the People's History Museum in Manchester, Burnham announced a plan to create a "No 10 North" [1]. This new prime-ministerial office would be based in Manchester to ensure that political power is distributed more equitably across the country [3].
Burnham said the initiative is designed to make power flow into the rest of the country [1]. He said the move would bring "clearer purpose to power up all parts of the country" [2].
"If we set up a No 10 North in Manchester, power will finally flow to the rest of the country," Burnham said [3].
The speech comes as Burnham is positioned as the prime minister-in-waiting, with reports indicating he could assume the office in only weeks [4]. While some critics have noted he is currently unelected to the top post, his supporters view the Manchester speech as a blueprint for his future premiership [2].
Burnham's vision focuses on a more balanced national governance model that reduces the reliance on Westminster. The plan for a northern office is intended to act as a permanent bridge between the central government, and regional leadership [3].
“"We will make the biggest change in our lifetimes."”
The proposal for a 'No 10 North' is an attempt to institutionalize devolution beyond the existing mayoral and parliamentary systems. If implemented, it would signal a move away from the traditional Westminster-centric model of British governance, potentially altering how policy is developed and delivered to regional hubs outside of London.
