Andy Burnham, a contender for leadership of the Labour Party, plans to divide his working time between Downing Street and Manchester should he become prime minister. The arrangement, if realized, would mark a significant departure from the typical residency of past prime ministers, potentially making him the first since Harold Wilson not to reside primarily in the official London residence.
Burnham announced his intention to establish a new "No 10 North" unit in Manchester if he succeeds the outgoing leader, Sir Keir Starmer. His allies suggest this move would serve as a strong symbol of his commitment to decentralizing power from Westminster. The specifics of his time split between London and the North West remain unclear, with possibilities ranging from a set number of days per week to a more informal schedule.
Burnham declared his bid to replace Starmer last Monday, shortly after being elected as the Member of Parliament for Makerfield. He is currently the sole Labour MP to have announced a leadership campaign. If no other candidates emerge, he could potentially assume the role of prime minister as early as July 20.
Historically, some prime ministers, including Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, have spent time away from London in their home constituencies. However, sources close to Burnham indicate his proposed arrangement would differ from these precedents. Harold Wilson, a Labour prime minister, lived at 10 Downing Street during his first term from 1964 to 1970 but chose to reside at Lord North Street, near Parliament, during his second premiership from 1974 to 1976.