What should the role of a senior political figure be in preparing for a potential prime minister?

A senior political figure must run Burnham’s Number 10 North sam.macrory Fri, 03/07/2026 - 17:01 A chief secretary to the PM or a deputy prime minister should run No.10 North. 3 Comment Rt Hon Sir David Lidington KCB Institute for Government Yes The Manchester branch of No.10 must be seen to be working for the country as a whole, not just the North West. Civil service Ministers Leadership election Machinery of government Civil servants Labour Chief secretary to the prime minister Deputy prime minister Prime minister Cabinet Office Number 10 No Andy Burnham’s announcement of a “Number 10 North” made good headlines, with his plans to launch an outpost of Downing Street a memorable symbol of the prime minister-in-waiting’s rhetorical commitment to effective regional policy. With a general election three years or less away, Burnham needs to show results quickly. A trusted ally, Caroline Simpson, chief executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, is in line to head the new office; government offices in the North West are being assessed as potential locations. As with any government reorganisation, there will be upfront costs, especially given the high level of security required. Burnham will be determined to rebut criticism that “Number 10 of the North” is just an expensive white elephant. Having worked both in the Cabinet Office and as deputy to the prime minister, and seen how the two buildings interact, the way decisions are made, and how effective, or not, prime ministers have found No 10’s levers of power, it is clear that the creation of a northern outpost means facing up to three challenges. Burnham must set out the remit of Number 10 North First, what is the remit of the new Manchester-based operation? Burnham speaks about it having responsibility for ensuring delivery of his strategic priority to promote economic regeneration and growth across the country. He also wants it to have a leading role in imposing greater state control over water, energy and