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Burnham to spend his first day at ‘No10 North’ in Manchester as he insists it is ‘not a gimmick’ – despite proper office not opening until 2032
Andy Burnham, the newly appointed prime minister, is to spend his first day in office at a Manchester base being dubbed "No10 North", despite insisting the arrangement is "not a gimmick." The move underlines his stated commitment to governing with a stronger regional focus outside Westminster, though it has drawn scrutiny given that a permanent dedicated office in Manchester is not expected to open until 2032.
The timing has also attracted criticism, coming just hours after Burnham told Cabinet colleagues they must "always show how they are going to pay" for policies, shortly after his own government unveiled an unfunded £850 million energy bills package. Reaction to his appointment has been mixed abroad, with some foreign media reportedly describing Britain as an "absolute mess" and suggesting the country has "replaced one village idiot with another," while also noting Burnham's fondness for a 1970s "lost paradise."
In short
- Burnham to base himself in Manchester's "No10 North" on day one
- Permanent Manchester office won't open until 2032
- Comes amid criticism over unfunded £850m energy bills pledge
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of Burnham's approach argue that a genuine northern voice in national policymaking has long been missing, and that physically working from Manchester one day a week is a meaningful symbol of decentralising power away from Westminster. They contend that his roots and continued presence in the region give him credibility to champion northern interests, and that establishing the practice early, rather than waiting for a purpose-built office in 2032, shows serious intent rather than empty rhetoric. For them, critics who dismiss it as a gimmick are too quick to mock any attempt at visible regional engagement, when in fact it reflects a legitimate and popular demand for the government to be seen and felt outside London.
The case against
Sceptics argue that without the formal infrastructure, staff and powers that a proper Manchester office would bring, working from the city one day a week amounts to symbolism rather than substance, and risks looking like political theatre designed to burnish Burnham's northern credentials. They point out that a genuine shift in where power sits would require years of institutional change, and that announcing the gesture years ahead of the office's actual opening invites justified questions about sequencing and priorities. For them, the concern is less about intent than about optics: gestures that outpace delivery can undermine public trust in devolution promises rather than build it, especially if taxpayers are asked to fund arrangements before the substantive changes are in place.
Explained simply
Andy Burnham has recently been appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. For his first day in office, he is planning to work from a Manchester-based office being referred to as "No10 North", rather than from the traditional seat of government at Downing Street in London.
This move reflects Burnham's stated commitment to bringing government decision-making outside Westminster and focusing on the interests of regions beyond the capital. The gesture represents a shift from the traditional concentration of political power in London, addressing a long-running discussion in British politics about how decisions get made and which areas have influence.
A permanent, dedicated office for the Prime Minister in Manchester will not open until 2032. At present, Burnham's first-day visit operates under improvised arrangements rather than established infrastructure, raising questions about how his commitment to regional governance will function in practice.