In the unlikely event Andy Burnham has found himself any free time since becoming Prime Minister, he might have turned to one of his favourite albums as he pondered the road ahead.

The music-loving Makerfield MP has said he is particularly fond of the self-titled 1989 debut by the Stone Roses, which contains a number of tracks that sound suitably appropriate for a political leader in his circumstances.

We can imagine how he might have reflected on landing the top job during “This Is the One”, or whether poll ratings crossed his mind from the opening chords of “I Wanna Be Adored”.

The Stone Roses and the new Prime Minister share something in common, of course, beyond Mr Burnham’s enjoyment of the music. They have both become synonymous with a city. The same city, in fact – Manchester.

Burnham to Swinney: 'We'll have to agree to disagree on independence'

While one was closely associated with the “Madchester” music scene, the new Prime Minister is now set on pioneering his “Manchesterism" ideology from Downing Street, or “Number 10 North”.

The proposed extension of the Prime Minister's office to Manchester, 200 miles north of Westminster, has been one of the most headline-grabbing announcements from Sir Keir Starmer’s successor to date. It is a snappy, easily-understood way of showing his intent on governing in the interests of the entire country, not just London and the south-east.

The move – and his recent speeches – have also underlined his plan to draw on lessons learned during his nine years as mayor of Greater Manchester, applying them across the country.

Precisely what this Manchesterism will entail remains to be seen, but speculation has focused on an expansion of devolution, greater public control of transport services and working more closely with business to........

© Herald Scotland