Andy Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor and newly elected Makerfield MP, today (June 29) unveiled a radical plan to shift decision-making power away from Whitehall, pledging a 'Number 10 in the North' that will serve as 'the nerve centre for a rewired Britain'. The proposed headquarters will eventually be the Manchester Digital Campus, currently under construction on the site of a former retail park in Ancoats, but not due for completion until 2028. In the interim, Burnham's team is reportedly searching for an office in Manchester.
Local Reactions on Ardwick's Downing Street
To gauge local sentiment, the Manchester Evening News visited Downing Street in Ardwick, a far cry from its London counterpart. Instead of iron gates and Georgian arches, the street features roadwork fences, graffiti-covered pillars, and industrial estates. Residents and workers shared their views on the proposal.
Gareth Leetch, 30, a housing coordinator, expressed support: 'I’m not sure Ardwick will make the list, but I do think the move to Manchester is a good idea.' He added that having a local angle would improve spending decisions: 'Most of the decisions about how to spend tax are made in Westminster. That may have worked at one stage. But having come from Cornwall and lived in Manchester, I can see how both places have fallen by the wayside because of that.'
Mixed Opinions on the Move
David Parry, 41, a designer originally from Warrington, also backed the idea but warned of potential southern backlash: 'I think it’s good because the North does get forgotten about. But I do think it’s going to p*** off the southerners. I used to live in London and I know what it’s like down there. There’s a lot of old school southerners who’ll kick off. It’ll cause a lot of unwanted drama.' He hopes Burnham doesn't go too 'King of the North' and appeals to southerners to avoid a massive backlash.
Sebastian Jamison, 20, a barista from Salford now living in Moss Side, was skeptical: 'It’s a funny idea. Cancel HS2 and then put a Downing Street office in the city? It doesn’t really make sense.' He raised practical concerns about security and road closures: 'Even now when Andy Burnham’s leaving somewhere, or the Prime Minister is, they block off the roads and bring in loads of security. It causes a scene wherever they are. If you’re doing that regularly in Manchester you’re basically taking over the whole of the city, there just isn’t the space for it.'
Support for Northern Representation
Ella Wigfall, 25, a designer, welcomed the move: 'The government in the past has prioritised the south and the north has generally been forgotten about. I think having the office here will bring more funding and opportunities to the north and the north west.' She noted that paid jobs in creative industries are predominantly in London, so more funding in the northwest would be beneficial.
Halimo Diriye, 45, a cleaner and mother of four, expressed excitement upon hearing the news: 'I’m so happy. I hope it will make a big difference.' She hopes it will address cost of living, crime, and encourage those on benefits to work. However, she also highlighted national issues like high taxes.
Cautious Optimism and Skepticism
Nathan Cuttica, 25, an accounts manager who moved from London to Manchester two years ago, called it 'a great symbolic gesture' but questioned its tangible impact: 'I’d be interested to see if it actually results in any change. A lot of people in the north and Scotland feel the focus is on London and Westminster. But it’s one thing to say you’ll move it and another to make policies that will actually benefit the north.' He hopes Burnham uses the opportunity to connect the north and south, rather than creating a 'Manchester bubble'.
Despite the symbolic name, Cuttica doubted Ardwick's Downing Street would be the final location. Burnham's office says the interim location will be announced 'in due course'.
