Burnham’s No 10 North: Potential and Challenges of a Two-Centre Government
A plan to relocate part of Whitehall to Manchester has garnered praise but would entail significant logistical challenges and costs.
Ancoats: From Textile Hub to Government Centre?
Once renowned as the heart of Manchester’s textile industry and later famous for the Sankeys nightclub, Ancoats, located on the northern edge of the city centre, is now being considered as a potential new centre for British government operations.
The site in question is a disused retail park that previously housed Toys R Us, Argos, and JD Sports. It has been identified as the location where prime minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham has pledged to establish a government presence.
The proposal involves relocating parts of Whitehall to a new government campus currently under construction on the former retail park site. This development is expected to accommodate approximately 8,800 civil servants from various government departments.
As the project remains in its early stages, it is believed that any buildings designated as “No 10” could be constructed without incurring substantial additional costs beyond those already approved by the Treasury.
Once largely derelict, Ancoats has transformed into one of Manchester’s trendiest suburbs, featuring numerous restaurants and bars, many of which are centered around the city’s only serviced marina.
Property prices in the area have risen sharply in recent years and are anticipated to increase further with the government’s planned move.
However, the new development is not scheduled for full completion until 2032. In the meantime, Burnham’s team is reportedly seeking alternative office space in Manchester.
One potential location is Heron House, a building owned by Manchester City Council and currently occupied by GCHQ. It is understood that GCHQ has no plans to vacate the premises.
Burnham’s Commitment to a Split Working Week
Andy Burnham, recently elected as the MP for Makerfield, has stated that if he becomes prime minister, he intends to divide his working week between London and Manchester.
Support from Government and Regional Leaders
Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, expressed support for the idea of a No 10 North during an event in London on Wednesday. He referenced the Treasury’s Darlington Economic Campus as a successful example.
“When I was at the Treasury, it worked really well and continues to operate very well,”
Jones added that local leaders tend to engage more with government officials at such regional campuses than they did previously.
Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, also welcomed the proposal, stating:
“For too long, Whitehall and the wider political establishment have allowed an economic chasm to open up between Greater London and the UK’s other major cities.
“The requirement for ministers to vote in parliament in person inevitably limits the time they can spend in departmental offices outside Whitehall.
“The prime minister-in-waiting is right not to let that stand in the way of his ambitions.
“There is no need to start from scratch either – Manchester already has suitable government office space, with more becoming available, that could provide an immediate home for No 10 North and its team.”
Security and Logistical Concerns
Despite the enthusiasm, a two-centre government would present significant logistical challenges.
Dai Davies, former head of royal protection and a former divisional commander in the Metropolitan Police, referred to Burnham’s proposed Manchester base as “Number 10A.”
“Number 10A will have to be strengthened,”
“and, of course, there’ll have to be a 24-hour-7 protection. So it’s going to cost us taxpayers millions in terms of technical security, surveillance, cameras.
“Depending on where it is, it may have to have underground detection systems, it probably will have to have a safe room, and Manchester police will have to bear the burden of protection, in the uniform sense, 24-7, I suspect. So the real cost is many millions of pounds.”
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson stated:
“We’re aware of evolving proposals to create a No 10 in the North and we will work with necessary departments to create necessary security arrangements as plans evolve.”
Davies also raised questions about Burnham’s travel arrangements, noting:
“If he’s going to go backwards and forwards, is he going to have an armoured car, depending on the threat assessment, which normally is very high for the prime minister?”
Travel between Manchester city centre and Westminster typically takes about four hours under good conditions, but delays can extend this considerably.
Rail expert Tony Miles commented on the commuting challenge:
“It would be an interesting challenge for Burnham to commute back and forth by rail without disrupting other passengers.
“He’d want security, spads and minders around him,”
“That’s a block of seats taken out of use.”
“He also questioned what would happen if Burnham needed to travel at short notice and passengers had booked seats.”
“He described the idea as ‘worthy’ but said it may be challenging to execute without annoying a lot of passengers – and voters.”
Public Opinion on Decentralising Power
A snap same-day poll of 100 adults across the UK, commissioned by campaign group 38 Degrees and conducted by JL Partners following Burnham’s speech on Monday, found broad voter support for moving power away from Westminster.
One female voter in Exeter expressed strong support:
“People in London need to realise there are other cities in this country that have powerful and strong leaders.”
A female Reform UK voter in Scunthorpe said:
“I like the idea of setting something up north as everything is done in London and we don’t all live there. Powers to regions is a positive thing as different areas have different needs.”
A male Labour voter in Stroud also backed the proposals:
“There has been too much power in London and not the rest of the country, and doing this will mean investments over the greater part of the UK stopping people feeling left behind.”
However, some expressed reservations about the practicality of the plan. A female Labour voter in Leeds said:
“I don’t know how this will work.”
Similarly, a male Labour voter in Edinburgh commented:
“I think it’s a good idea but I don’t think it will work.”
Local Support in Ancoats
In Ancoats, the prospect of sharing governmental power with London has been met with enthusiasm.
Hussayn Salem, Green councillor for Ancoats and Beswick, stated:
“If this is a genuine devolution of power away from Whitehall, if decisions are genuinely being made up here rather than just badged as northern, and if it brings more jobs for Manchester residents and strengthens our local economy, then we welcome it.”
Sanger Ismail, owner of Bee Barbers near the Digital Campus site, said:
“I think he’s chosen the best place. It’s a nice community. And it’s got nice, green areas as well. People here are nice, very professional.”
Ismail, who has been based in Ancoats for seven years, expressed hope that Burnham might visit his barbershop:
“I look forward to seeing him.”
Chris Northwood, a Liberal Democrat councillor in the ward, added:
“When it comes to moving power out of London, we’re very supportive.”
“I’m not at all surprised Ancoats has been floated as an idea – with our wonderful people, food and drink, who wouldn’t want to work from here?”
“My question to Andy would be, if he’s bringing No 10 to Ancoats, can the undeveloped second half of the site be your new rose garden but open for the public and residents to use?”
