Burnham’s No 10 North ‘will be based on brownfield site on edge of Manchester’

Andy Burnham's planned "No 10 North" government base will be located in Ancoats, on the outskirts of Manchester city centre, on a brownfield site. This facility is not expected to be fully operational until 2032, with an interim office being sought in the city. Burnham, widely anticipated to become Prime Minister, has pledged to split his time between London and Greater Manchester as part of a plan to decentralize government operations. The Ancoats site, the Manchester Digital Campus, will house approximately 8,800 civil servants from various departments, focusing on digital work. This initiative aims to strengthen decision-making and bring government closer to communities, receiving support from regional leaders.

Andy Burnham, Britain's presumptive next prime minister, has outlined a plan to devolve more power to local governments to foster economic growth and spread wealth across the country. Speaking from Manchester, where he previously served as mayor, Burnham criticized Westminster as "broken" and presented a ten-year vision for "good growth in every postcode." His strategy aims to address the concentration of wealth and power in London and the south of England, ensuring that other regions are not overlooked. Burnham intends to establish a "Number 10 north" in Manchester, which will serve as the central hub for his prime ministerial operations. This initiative seeks to replicate his successful approach in Manchester, which involved leveraging public and private funds for investments in infrastructure, housing, and transport.

Andy Burnham, the frontrunner to become the UK's next prime minister, is set to unveil his economic and devolution plans in a major policy speech. The address, taking place in Manchester, will outline a 10-year mission aimed at raising living standards through reindustrialisation, housing, infrastructure, and utility reform. A key proposal will be devolving power to regions and local communities, a concept his office describes as "Manchesterism." Burnham, who recently returned to Parliament, is currently the only declared candidate to replace Keir Starmer and could take leadership by mid-July. His economic stance is described as pro-business socialist, with a commitment to current government borrowing limits.

Andy Burnham has won a crucial by-election in Ashton-in-Makerfield, a victory widely seen as a prelude to a potential Labour leadership challenge against current leader Keir Starmer. The election, which drew significant national and international media attention, saw Burnham secure a substantial majority. Burnham, the former mayor of Manchester, has expressed his intention to challenge Starmer, who has faced criticism for missteps and declining popularity. To launch a leadership bid, Burnham would need to secure nominations from 20 percent of Labour MPs and support from local party branches and trade unions. The by-election also highlighted the Reform Party's campaign, which focused on immigration, but Makerfield voters ultimately rejected the far-right.

Polls have closed in the Makerfield byelection, where Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham contested the seat. Burnham, a former cabinet minister, resigned as mayor to seek a return to Westminster with the ambition of challenging for the leadership of the Labour party. The contest was primarily between Burnham and Reform's Robert Kenyon, with Makerfield traditionally a safe Labour seat that has recently shown increased support for Reform. Constituency polls indicated a lead for Burnham. The article also notes that the results of this and other byelections, including Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, are being closely watched for their potential impact on UK politics and party leadership.

A special election in the UK's Makerfield district on Thursday could significantly impact Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party. Andy Burnham, the current mayor of Greater Manchester and a leading contender for future leadership, is running for the vacant parliamentary seat. If Burnham wins, it is expected to increase pressure on Starmer, whose popularity has declined due to struggles with economic growth and public services. Starmer has faced calls for resignation following poor local election results and missteps, though he has stated he will fight any leadership challenge. Burnham, known as the "King of the North," aims to implement his "Manchesterism" approach nationally, criticizing London-centric politics. The election also presents a challenge from the Reform UK party, which has gained traction in the region.