Andy Burnham has issued a whimsical two-word response after a bride-to-be made a cheeky request ahead of her wedding.
After the Prime Minister opened No10 North – a new northern base created as part of his”devolution revolution” – Saz Burwin took to social media to flag an issue.
Heron House, in the city centre, is also home to Manchester Register Office, where Ms Burwin and her partner are due to get married in just a few weeks’ time.
On Friday, the future bride raised her head above the parapet following Mr Burnham’s first visit to the Manchester base.
“I saw you set up your new gaff, No10 North, at Heron House… Saw it on the news. Gorgeous, love what you’ve done with the place,” the future bride said in a TikTok video.
“But I’m actually getting married there on the 21st of August and on the news today, the place was surrounded with police, bollards, all sorts. A lot of stuff that wasn’t there before.”
Ms Burwin took issue with the heavy police presence surrounding the building block when Mr Burnham visited the newly-renovated site, where there are a number of government offices.
Throughout the week, policed guarded the building, a presence which grew to a number of armed officers prowling around Heron House by Friday.
Mr Burnham’s expansive security convoy directed straight into the building with metal fencing was placed around the front entrance.
Greeting crowds who had gathered to cheer on the Prime Minister, he declared: “I love you, Manchester!”
But Ms Burwin expressed concerns that the security measures put in place for the Prime Minister might “ruin the vibe” of her wedding pictures.
“I’ve got a content creator coming,” she exclaimed.
Fearing that the security could dampen the aesthetic of her photos, she asked if Mr Burnham could simply avoid the area that day.
The block surrounding Heron House is also the site for a Slug & Lettuce, a Chinese takeaway and a tattoo parlour.
She quickly assured the Labour leader he was invited to the celebration, but “maybe without the police escorts and the guys with rifles”.
“If you could maybe give them an hour off…” she teased.
And, to the bride-to-be’s joy, the “King of the North” responded. “Noted, Saz,” he commented.
Mr Burnham is expected to work at No10 North once a week, where it will also permanently host Cabinet ministers Angela Rayner, Louise Haigh and Lucy Powell.
Standing alongside Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey and the First Secretary of State, Mr Burnham grinned and posed for pictures.
Mr Burnham told the No10 North team: “Isn’t it better that we have a North Pole that balances the South Pole of our country, where power will always be concentrated, but at least it creates that sense of a more balanced country and the big things can be done from here?”
However, the Prime Minister has fallen under fire on GB News for making the move, with the Manchester office being dubbed a “vanity project” for the former Mayor of Greater Manchester.
