Andy Burnham was whisked into work at No 10 North this morning and promptly declared it might be the 'best day of my life - I'm not joking'. The new Prime Minister was accompanied by his Chancellor John Healey and First Secretary of State Louise Haigh at the opening of the new base in Manchester city centre.
He wasted no time in defending the cost of the project, telling 'London-based' critics that it's better to have 'a north pole that balances the south pole'. Speaking to staff at the new centre in Heron House just off Albert Square, he said: "At least it creates that sense of a more balanced country, and that big things can be done from here."
A nerve centre for a rewired Britain
The PM, who is expected to work from No.10 North at least one day a week, was due to chair a meeting of the National Economic Council, a Cabinet committee first launched in 2008 to respond to economic challenges. As he turned up today he told staff of his pride at what he described as a 'nerve centre for a rewired Britain'.
"It is much more profound, I think, than people have worked out so far," he added. "It's not just a new office. Through this place, power is going to flow, energy is going to flow, new ideas are going to come through, the region's going to play back their ambitions here and the team is then going to say, right, we're behind you, we're going to make things work."
A big day for her too
There was a heavy police presence this morning ahead of the PM's arrival. That seemed to come as a surprise to a bride who was pictured arriving for her wedding day. Heron House is also home to the registry office. While she might have been expecting a guard of honour, chances are she hadn't banked on an actual armed guard.
Manchester's most secretive building
Heron House is also home to signals intelligence agency GCHQ. Inside hundreds of spies carry out the clandestine business of keeping tabs on those who might wish to do the UK harm. Back in 2022 the Manchester Evening News was among the first media to be given a glimpse inside. Much like No. 10 North, GCHQ's move to Manchester ushered in a new era for spy chiefs.
It signalled a change towards more openness and increased collaboration with universities and private industry and a willingness to recruit from outside its traditional white, male, upper and middle-class demographic.
'I want him to give us something to feel excited about'
Many people in Greater Manchester are proud of Andy Burnham, but they're not about to give him an easy ride - as our team of local democracy reporters found out. This week they've been out and about across the region asking people what they want from our new Prime Minister.
"I want him to give us something to be excited about," Chelsea Daniels, 25, said on St Peter's Square, summing up the mood of many. "Because nothing does at the moment, everything feels s**t."
Weather etc
Weekend forecast: It looks like we're in for a bit of rain, finally, this weekend, with showers forecast on Saturday afternoon and throughout Sunday. Temperatures will stay in the low 20s.
Roadworks: Oldham Way in Oldham is closed in both directions due to roadworks at the Manchester Street roundabout.
