Andy Burnham has built his pitch for Downing Street around an eye-catching idea – a second seat of government in Manchester, or “No 10 North”, which he has called the “nerve centre of a rewired Britain”.
Whether this genuinely shifts power away from London or proves a largely symbolic gesture rests largely on the person he has chosen to run it.
Enter Caroline Simpson, the chief executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) – whom Burnham has asked to serve as his deputy chief of staff if – as expected – he enters No 10 next month.
Shorts
If all goes to plan for Burnham, Simpson is set to be based in Manchester, overseeing the devolution programme that the leadership hopeful has promised will transform the country.
