LONDON, June 25 (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Andy Burnham is planning to move parts of the No 10 operation to Manchester as part of a strategy to decentralize power away from London. The Makerfield MP intends to transfer segments of the prime ministerial office to the north should he succeed the outgoing Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
The proposal, which was first reported by the Financial Times, is set to be a key element of a speech scheduled for next week. In this address, Burnham will outline his vision for radical devolution across the United Kingdom. Supporters view the move as a significant step toward breaking the traditional Westminster bubble and accelerating regional infrastructure projects.
Manchester is currently considered the frontrunner to host this new satellite executive branch office. The plan leverages existing infrastructure developed during Burnham’s decade-long tenure as the mayor of Greater Manchester. By establishing a physical presence in the north, the initiative aims to bring national decision-making closer to communities and combat deep-seated regional inequality.
Burnham has long argued that the United Kingdom suffers from some of the worst regional inequality of any developed nation. He attributes this imbalance largely to the high centralization of political power within London. To counteract this, he has promised to govern according to a so-called “Makerfield test.” Under this framework, national policies would be measured specifically against their potential impact on his new constituents.
His broader devolution blueprint, outlined in a book he co-authored with Liverpool mayor Steve Rotheram, advocates for a federalized approach to British politics. He has previously called for every area of the UK to have the opportunity to secure its own devolved settlement and elect a mayor. The proposed “No 10 in the North” aligns with his ambition to establish a “basic law” requiring the government to actively work toward equalizing living standards across the country.
While 10 Downing Street remains one of the most famous addresses in the country, it has faced criticism from successive prime ministers regarding its suitability for a modern government. The 300-year-old townhouse often leaves staff members working in cramped conditions, with many operations currently split between Downing Street and the nearby Cabinet Office.
“No 10 is not suitable as the hub of a modern government, successive prime ministers have complained,” according to reports.
Previous attempts to modernize the prime ministerial infrastructure included a plan to merge aspects of Downing Street and the Cabinet Office into a new, consolidated office. However, those efforts were scrapped earlier this year following poor local election results for the Labour party. Moving operations to the north could address these physical constraints while simultaneously serving the political goal of rebalancing power away from the capital.
The initiative is not without its critics. Some Labour MPs have expressed concerns that an overt focus on “Manchesterism” could alienate voters in rural areas and the southern commuter belt. Others have characterized the proposal as a symbolic gesture that may fall short of transferring the genuine legislative and budgetary powers required for effective local governance.
It remains unclear if Burnham intends to adopt the more radical economic suggestions of his advisors. Former Bank of England economist Andy Haldane has previously suggested splitting the Treasury and establishing a dedicated growth ministry in the north.
The government has seen success with previous efforts to move civil service departments outside of London. Nine departments recently combined efforts to open an “economic campus” in Darlington. Construction on a new five-storey office in the north-eastern town began this year, intended to serve as a permanent base for 1,600 civil servants. As Burnham prepares for a potential move into No 10 by next month, the plan for a northern satellite office stands as a defining element of his platform.
