Andy Burnham, a Labour MP and likely successor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has pledged a radical devolution of power away from Westminster [1].
This shift represents a fundamental change in how the United Kingdom is governed, aiming to break the long-standing concentration of political and financial authority in London. By transferring decision-making power to regional leaders, Burnham intends to address economic disparities between the capital and the rest of the country [1, 3].
Burnham outlined his vision in a series of addresses, including a speech on Monday, June 24, 2026 [1]. He reiterated these commitments on June 28, and said that power will move from London to the regions [3].
A central pillar of this plan is the creation of a new administrative hub in Manchester. Burnham said, "We will set up a new operation in Manchester called No. 10 North to give more funding and control to local leaders" [2]. This operation is intended to serve as a regional counterpart to the prime minister's official residence and office in London.
Burnham said the initiative is the "biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen" [1]. The proposal includes granting regional leaders greater authority over funding and policy decisions, which would fulfill commitments laid out in the Labour Party's 2024 manifesto [1, 5].
Burnham is expected to officially become prime minister in July 2026 following the resignation of Keir Starmer [4, 5]. While the transition of leadership is pending, the focus on regional empowerment has become a cornerstone of his immediate political agenda [2, 3].
“"We will bring about the biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen."”
The establishment of 'No. 10 North' signals a move toward a more federalized system of governance in the UK. If implemented, this would reduce the central government's grip on regional spending and policy, potentially creating a new power center in the North of England and altering the traditional political geography of the state.
