Andy Burnham plans to become the first prime minister since Harold Wilson not to reside primarily in Downing Street, the BBC has been told, opting instead to split his working week between London and a new “No 10 North” unit in Manchester.
In his first speech since launching his Labour leadership bid on Monday, Burnham announced the unit would “oversee the biggest rebalancing of power our country has ever seen,” with control over housing and transport devolved to English regions. “The political direction I set will not be up for negotiation,” he said.
“Burnham plans to split his time between Downing Street and Manchester if he becomes PM, creating a No 10 North unit.”
Burnham is the only Labour MP to declare so far, and if that remains the case he could succeed Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister as early as 20 July. His allies hope his presence in Manchester would be a strong symbol of his commitment to devolve power away from Westminster.
The former deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman described the approach as “unusual but it should work.”
Reader reactions to the plan have been mixed. Che Connon, 54, a CEO from Newcastle, said: “It allows the country to recognise that things can work if not solely based in London.” But Lynda Mitchell, 67, a retired local authority manager from Plymouth, expressed concern: “I would have had more enthusiasm if the new office were in Norwich, Truro or Penrith.” Others questioned the cost and whether tangible benefits would follow.
If Burnham chooses not to make Downing Street his main home, he would be the first premier since Lord Salisbury at the end of the 19th century not to live there at all.