Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has reignited the debate on regional devolution with his proposal for a 'No 10 North' – a second government hub based in the North of England. The plan, which would see key government functions relocated from London, aims to rebalance the UK's economic and political geography. However, political analysts and constitutional experts are divided on whether a two-centre government could be made to work in practice.
The Vision for a Northern Powerhouse
Burnham's proposal is not new; it builds on the 'Northern Powerhouse' agenda first championed by former Chancellor George Osborne. The idea is to decentralise decision-making and investment, tackling the long-standing North-South divide. Under Burnham's plan, departments such as Housing, Communities and Local Government, Transport, and Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy would establish significant bases in the North, potentially in Manchester or Leeds.
Speaking at a conference in Manchester, Burnham argued that 'the centre of gravity of this country is too skewed towards London and the South East. We need to create a new political and economic centre in the North that can drive growth and opportunity for millions of people.' He emphasised that this is not about creating a rival to Westminster but about 'sharing power more evenly across the UK.'
Practical Challenges of a Two-Centre Model
Despite the political appeal, implementing a two-centre government presents numerous logistical and constitutional hurdles. Former Cabinet Secretary Lord O'Donnell warned that 'splitting the machinery of government across two sites could lead to inefficiencies, duplication of effort, and a lack of coherence in policy-making.' He noted that even within Whitehall, coordinating between departments is challenging; adding a geographical divide could exacerbate these problems.
A report by the Institute for Government found that previous attempts at relocating civil service jobs, such as the move of the Office for National Statistics to Newport, have had mixed results. While they can bring economic benefits to the host region, they often lead to staff retention issues and a loss of institutional knowledge. The report also highlighted that 'the most effective civil service hubs are those that are co-located with ministers and Parliament, allowing for rapid decision-making and accountability.'
Economic and Political Implications
Proponents argue that a two-centre government could stimulate regional economies by creating high-skilled jobs and attracting private investment. The think tank IPPR North estimates that moving just 10% of Whitehall jobs to the North could generate an additional £3.5 billion in economic output per year. However, critics counter that the costs of relocation, including property and relocation expenses, could outweigh the benefits in the short term.
Politically, the proposal has received a cautious welcome from some northern MPs and mayors, but scepticism from others who fear it could be a distraction from more pressing issues like underfunding of public services. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the Labour Party is 'open to bold ideas for devolution' but stressed that 'any relocation must be part of a comprehensive plan to level up the whole country, not just a symbolic gesture.'
International Comparisons
Other countries have experimented with multi-centre government models. Germany, with its federal system, has key ministries spread across cities like Berlin, Bonn, and Frankfurt. Similarly, South Africa divides its government between Pretoria, Cape Town, and Bloemfontein. However, these systems are embedded in broader federal structures, whereas the UK remains a highly centralised state. Constitutional expert Professor Meg Russell of University College London noted that 'the UK's unitary system and the primacy of Parliament make it difficult to create a truly dual centre of power without significant constitutional reform.'
Next Steps
Burnham has called for a 'detailed feasibility study' into the proposal, with a view to piloting the relocation of a single department within the next five years. The government has so far been non-committal, with a Downing Street spokesperson saying that 'while we are committed to levelling up, we have no plans to create a second seat of government.'
As the debate continues, the question remains whether a two-centre government can be made to work without undermining the efficiency and accountability of the UK's political system. For now, Burnham's vision remains just that – a vision – but it has reignited a crucial conversation about the future of governance in the UK.
