Burnham’s flagship reform faces public doubt across Britain

A third of Britons say that Prime Minister Burnham’s 'No. 10 North' won't really make a difference – demonstrating significant public scepticism for his flagship government reform.

New polling from PolicyWISE and More in Common explores how people in England, Scotland and Wales view the new political landscape, and the promises made by the new Prime Minister on issues such as No 10 North, reforming the House of Lords, devolution, public control of industries, and the relations between UK and Devolved governments.

Only 9% of Britons think that No 10 North would be a good thing for the whole of the UK, with an average of 20% in the north of England think it would be a good thing for their region. People across Britain are more likely to say it will be a good thing for the North of England (18 per cent) than for the UK as a whole (9 per cent). Notably, Welsh respondents are the most likely of any nation to say it would be a good thing for the North specifically (26 per cent).

People in Wales and Scotland were also asked whether there should be an equivalent Prime Ministerial No 10 for Scotland and Wales. Scots are more likely to say there should (43 per cent) than shouldn't (38 per cent) be a 'No. 10 Scotland'. Support in Wales for a 'No. 10 Wales' is stronger and clearer: 45 per cent say there should be one, just 28 per cent say there shouldn't.

 Commenting on the poll findings, and the Prime Minister’s agenda, Dewi Knight, Director of PolicyWISE said:

 “Number 10 North must be a political, policy and geographic reset for the UK Government. It’s a welcome recognition from the Prime Minister that our most persistent policy challenges cannot be solved through a highly centralised model of government alone. 

 “In the UK’s family of nations and governments, Whitehall has too often played the role of disapproving parent, rather than a genuine partner. Running these relationships from Number 10 North potentially means a new partnership approach to tackling UK-wide shared challenges such as ‘good growth’ or the cost of living. We know from our research that policymakers across the UK are up for the challenge of this new way of working – but it needs strong personal leadership from the Prime Minister.

 “From a PolicyWISE perspective, the key test will be whether a shift in address can ensure better collaboration across our governments, leading to better outcomes for citizens. For Burnham to deliver his commitment to ‘place-based collaboration as the operating principle’ for his government, then he and Number 10 North must invest time in building intergovernmental relationships, collectively identify areas of shared interest across the UK, and facilitate joint teams and projects on major shared issues.”

 PolicyWISE will release further data later this week – get in touch if you’d like to learn more or use this information.