Andy Burnham has revealed that his proposed 'No 10 North' would be situated near Piccadilly station in Manchester city centre, and that he would base himself there part-time if he becomes prime minister. The newly elected Makerfield MP disclosed the plan during his first interview since launching his bid to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader.
Burnham's Vision for a Rewired State
In an interview with Andrew Marr on LBC, Burnham reiterated his pledge to 'rewire' the British state by devolving more decision-making to local leaders. He described No 10 North as a 'nerve centre' to drive priorities such as reindustrialisation and redistributing power across the UK. He stated: 'This is about extending the Downing Street operation, creating a North Pole, if you like, so that the country can see that the power is more balanced. Number 10 North will act in the interests of everywhere though.'
When pressed for a specific location, Burnham said: 'There is already a proposal for a government digital campus close to Manchester Piccadilly, so it is my intention, if I get the opportunity, to base it there. I will spend time there, because I think it’s really important to show a new drive around taking power out of Westminster. Why? To get growth in every postcode around the country.'
Defence Spending Surprise
Burnham admitted he had not been fully briefed on the government's decision to find an extra £15 billion for defence by trimming other budgets. Asked if he knew about the shortfall, he said: 'I didn’t have all of the details. I wasn’t in all of the discussions, but to be fair, the Government had had an internal process ongoing.' When it was suggested he had been left a 'hand grenade', Burnham responded: 'I regard it as something that the country has to face up to very seriously. We’re in a changing world. The nature of the threat is changing. What I can say to you tonight is I will take my responsibilities fully to fund the defence investment plan.' He added: 'No compromise on the security of the nation.'
World Cup Bank Holiday Dismissed
Burnham refused to commit to a bank holiday if England wins the World Cup. The Everton fan said: 'We struggled, let’s say. And full respect to the Democratic Republic of Congo, but I think we might be getting ahead of ourselves. There’s a very big game coming up on Sunday. We do have to live in hope. I think, you know, it might be a bit premature to be speculating. It would be a fantastic moment, wouldn’t it, and we can hope and pray that. I’m an Evertonian, I do not ever back anything when it comes to football, I don’t do it with England either. I think they’ve got a bit of improvement to do before we can start seriously dreaming of it coming home.'
Business Rates Reform and Fiscal Credibility
Burnham also outlined plans to increase business rates on warehouses while slashing them for pubs and high street businesses. He proposed a 20 per cent cut for pubs and lifting some high street businesses out of rates altogether. He said: 'I believe there is a case for higher business rates on warehouses, and the major developments we see on the outskirts of our cities, so that we can cut business rates for pubs.' He added he wanted to 'reward the businesses that bring social benefit, the businesses that bring people together, the bars, the restaurants, the coffee shops, the hairdressers, because the High Street really needs more of our attention.'
Dismissing suggestions he was not disciplined enough to manage the nation's finances, Burnham pointed to his record as a former Treasury minister and Health Secretary, and as Mayor of Greater Manchester. He said: 'I was in the Treasury. I ran the Department of Health... It was tight, but we had a very healthy set of finances. I've run Greater Manchester, the fastest growing city region in the country, for a decade, and you can't make it the fastest growing city region in the country, Andrew, without strong business confidence.' He insisted the finances in Greater Manchester were 'rock solid', adding: 'I actually get frustrated at some of the narrative that people try to put around about me. My record says otherwise.'
