Conservative grandee Lord Michael Heseltine has thrown his support behind Andy Burnham's proposal for a 'No 10 in the North', describing it as an 'important gesture in the right direction' that could yield significant economic benefits. Heseltine, who first advocated for directly elected mayors in 1991, said the plan could be 'very beneficial' to the entire UK economy if Burnham delivers on the broad vision he outlined on Monday.
Heseltine Praises Burnham as 'Manifestation of the Dream'
Lord Heseltine, a leading proponent of devolution, lauded the former Greater Manchester mayor as 'the manifestation of the dream' behind cross-party efforts to push power out of Whitehall, initiated under Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron. Burnham, who is widely expected to become the next prime minister within weeks, used a Monday speech to pledge a 'rewiring' of the British state, granting greater decision-making authority to local leaders.
His flagship proposal involves establishing an outpost of 10 Downing Street in Manchester, serving as a 'nerve centre' to drive priorities such as reindustrialisation and power redistribution across the UK. The plan has also garnered support from Housing Secretary Steve Reed, who called it a 'great idea' and endorsed Burnham's commitment to accelerate devolution.
Location Less Critical Than Commitment to Devolution
While backing the concept, Heseltine emphasised that the unit's focus on decentralisation matters more than its physical location. 'The critical thing is to have a Prime Minister who is committed to the devolution agenda,' he told the Press Association. 'Creating a powerful No 10 unit, whether it's in Manchester or in London or anywhere else, is an important gesture in the right direction.'
Heseltine described Manchester as 'probably the most effective example of what David Cameron began to introduce' through devolution reforms under then-communities secretary Greg Clark. He noted that Burnham represents the culmination of efforts by devolution advocates like himself.
Warning Against Local Business Rate Powers
However, Heseltine cautioned against proposals to allow local leaders to set and retain business rates, which Burnham has reportedly been advised to consider. He argued that revenue disparities between areas require central government intervention to balance out. 'If I was advising Andy Burnham now I'd say look, don't tinker around with local income tax or local rates, get on with the job of generating wealth, and that is basically using capital funds,' he said.
Heseltine, who authored a 2012 report that became the blueprint for Cameron-era devolution policies, said he had a 'very good relationship' with Burnham during his tenure as metro mayor. He praised Burnham's pledge to reach across the political divide, calling it 'very important'.
Cross-Party Cooperation and Reform UK Warning
Commenting on Burnham's broader speech, Heseltine said the message was accurate: 'Tell the truth, don't get involved in committing what you can't deliver, and recognise we're all in this together.' He added that if Burnham carries through with determination, 'we could find a very beneficial consequence for all our political parties, and our entire economy.'
Despite welcoming cross-party cooperation, Heseltine urged Labour and the Tories to work together to 'expose' Reform UK, which he described as an 'extremist' proposition. He welcomed Burnham's by-election victory in Makerfield as an advantage for those concerned about Reform's dangers, adding that Nigel Farage 'is now more likely to be seen as his (Donald Trump's) relic' than his vicar in Britain. Reform UK has been contacted for comment.
Steve Reed, seen as a loyal Starmer supporter, expressed hope that Burnham would be installed in No 10 'as quickly as possible' by the end of July, noting his 'very widespread support amongst the Parliamentary Labour Party.'
