Andy Burnham has proposed creating a 'No 10 North' unit in Manchester if he becomes Prime Minister, but the city's existing Downing Street is a short, neglected road where locals voiced scepticism and cautious hope. The street, just south of Manchester city centre, runs from London Road to Ardwick Green and lacks a Number 10 building, instead hosting a small industrial estate with a Speedy vehicle hire store, Spirit Studios, and the Fabric Church.
Locals Criticise Burnham's Lack of Detail
Police worker Stephen Hogg, 62, from Didsbury, was getting his car MOT'd opposite Ardwick Green when approached. He said: 'It's not the same country as it used to be – it's gone to pot. I don't think there is a great deal of substance to what he is saying yet. It's all right talking the talk but can he walk the walk?' He added concerns about devolution: 'If they devolve everything, what responsibility will the Government end up having for running the country?'
Stephen also noted Burnham's avoidance of media questions: 'He hasn't taken any questions whatsoever, but I do think we need a firm leadership in charge of our country. The UK needs to move in the same direction and you need strong leadership to do that. I just hope Burnham can actually step up to the plate and turn the country around, because we're lost.'
Housing and Generational Concerns
His wife Sharon Hogg, 57, raised concerns about housing: 'My concerns are for the generations coming after us – there's no housing yet when you see there's an estate where they are just going to house immigrants, how can that be fair? Our children can't get on the housing ladder because it's so expensive. I think we need to invest in our children's future and their children's future.'
Youth Worker Expresses Optimism
Youth worker Beth Bright, 31, whose parents live in Burnham's newly-won Ashton-in-Makerfield constituency, was more positive: 'I think he'll make a really good Prime Minister. Part of what I love about Andy Burnham is that he's a voice for so many voiceless towns in the North and I'm really passionate about that, so I'm excited to see what that will look like as he gets into power.' She added that locals are excited but will hold him accountable.
Church Intern Welcomes Northern Power Shift
Maths graduate Daisy Harding, 22, an intern at the Fabric Church on Ardwick Green, said: 'I think it's a great idea. I think it really inspires the North generally as a region. I think it validates that this is where millions of people live and big decisions should be made up here too.' She described Burnham as 'a man of the people' with exciting vision.
Civil engineering master's graduate Toby Gray, 23, emphasised unity: 'It's just about bringing people together, that's just the hard part about politics.'
A Street Easily Missed
Manchester's Downing Street is only a few hundred yards long, with no Number 10 on the even side – just a patch of grass, a mangled metal shop sign, and graffiti. The street serves mainly as a route to Ardwick Green or the city centre. In contrast, London's Downing Street has housed the nation's leader for 300 years. Burnham's plan to establish a 'No 10 North' in Manchester aims to devolve power, but locals remain divided on whether he can deliver.
