Labour leadership frontrunner Andy Burnham has pledged to establish a 'No 10 North' if he becomes Prime Minister, arguing it will redirect power to regions such as the West Country. In his first major policy speech since launching his bid to succeed Sir Keir Starmer, the newly elected MP for Makerfield outlined plans to devolve more authority to the UK's regions and nations.
Biggest Change in a Generation
Speaking at The People's Museum in Manchester on Monday, June 29, Burnham said his proposals would deliver "the biggest change in our lifetime to the way the country is run" while remaining "consistent" with Labour's 2024 manifesto. He emphasized creating a "more streamlined state with a clearer purpose to power up all parts of the country and put a laser-like focus on growth and regeneration."
"We will create a more streamlined state with a clearer purpose to power up all parts of the country and put a laser-like focus on growth and regeneration," Burnham said. "The change will be driven through the prime minister’s office in an extended operation based here in Manchester. But here’s the important thing; it will only be based here. The job of No 10 North will be to make power flow into the Midlands, into the South West, into the East of England and yes, into London."
Devolution Details
Burnham's proposals aim to give regional leaders "greater public control" over transport, housing, energy, and water. He described No 10 North as "the nerve centre for a rewired Britain" that would coordinate government at all levels to agree on a long-term economic strategy and help set growth ambitions. He called for "good growth in every British postcode" and more joined-up decisions between Westminster and the regions.
No 10 North would focus on three areas: reform of essential utilities, reindustrialisation, and regeneration of places. "We are such an inventive country and, going forward, we can be the world’s leading innovation nation," Burnham said. "This is the key to higher growth."
West of England Response
West of England Mayor Helen Godwin welcomed the focus on devolution, calling for "more power and more funding" for the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), which covers Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, and South Gloucestershire, with North Somerset potentially joining. "The West Country has to be at the heart of places getting more powers and more funding," Godwin said. "That must be the case as the only expanding combined authority, with North Somerset joining, and as we push towards Established Strategic Authority status."
Godwin noted that Weca's economy has grown four times faster than the national average since 2019, with 2023 growth of nearly three percent outperforming all other combined authorities and London. In May, Weca unveiled a £17bn investment prospectus at a UK investment summit in Leeds, following a 10-year growth strategy that could create tens of thousands of jobs. "Over the months ahead, we will be proudly making the case in Westminster and beyond at every opportunity to secure the investment that our region deserves," she added.
Leadership Timeline
If no other Labour MP enters the leadership race, Burnham could replace Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister as soon as July 20.
