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Andy Burnham has said if he becomes prime minister, he would create a new “No 10 North” in Manchester as the “nerve centre of a rewired Britain” to oversee a devolution of power and resources across the UK.

While full details of how this will work have not yet been made available, we asked Britons what they thought of the idea in principle.

Many broadly agreed that there needed to be an “overhaul” of the current Westminster system, saying it was a good idea and it would go some way towards redressing the power imbalance that Westminster wields. Others said it would show the country that things “can work” outside London.

However, some were concerned about the potential cost of such an operation and were not sure what tangible benefits it would bring.

Here are some of the responses.

‘It allows the country to recognise that things can work if not solely based in London’

I don’t know if there is much of a plan yet, in terms of details, but I think the concept of moving some of the activities from London to a regional base sounds good to me. It allows the country to recognise that things can work if not solely based in London.

The No 10 North has to be somewhere. But the focus needs to be on the concept of regional activities not on specific regions – otherwise it falls over with infighting.

Locally, in Newcastle, we have seen Sunderland and Newcastle compete for international and national business and investment. That’s crazy, as there is only 10 miles between them. Che Connon, 54, CEO of a plc, Newcastle

‘I would have more enthusiasm if the new office were in Norwich, Truro or Penrith’

Whilst this is encouraging and no one would disagree that the current system of government and governance needs an overhaul, I despair that the proposed additional “national” office is to be based in Manchester.

I would have had more enthusiasm, faith and hope that this might make a change if the new office were in Norwich, Truro or Penrith.

Manchester is another metropolitan city that’s had loads of money and interventions thrown at it.

If this office had been established somewhere with limited opportunities, appalling transport links, seasonal employment, rural poverty and high levels of second-home ownership, staff would perhaps have been exposed to the realities many of us face day to day, and it might have had a chance of making some impact. Lynda Mitchell, 67, retired local authority manager, Plymouth

‘It’s a stellar idea’

I can see why right now there’s a bigger focus on Manchester because that’s where Andy has spent most of his time. But it’s about bringing everywhere into focus. I see No 10 North as a way to bring Scotland and Wales closer to decisions, too. I think, although controversial initially, it’s a stellar idea. It can only bring a spotlight and more investment in the north.

It’s about time the north and all other parts of the UK get some of the investment they deserve. Proper trains, metro transport, housing, job opportunities – the list goes on. I think it has to start with housing. Even though it’s a lot cheaper than London here, there’s just a huge lack of quality homes – especially rentals.

Transport is also top of the list: we need better links. Even where I live it’s difficult and expensive to get into the centre of Manchester where I work. I often end up driving, which I would like to avoid. So, my initial reaction is that a No 10 North would be quite exciting. Adam, 34, Chorley, Lancashire

‘How much will this cost?’

While this sounds good in theory, before we have two No 10s it would be better to know what the realistic cost is likely to be and what spending will be cut to cover those costs.

I wonder how much it will cost in terms of duplicating the prime minister’s security and infrastructure, as well as the travel costs. Will No 10 London staff move with the PM, and what’s the cost of doing that?

Harder to cost might be the need for secure telecommunications between the two No 10s so that the PM and staff have 24/7 access to the very latest information on current issues, such as the Iran war.

Also, what would two No 10s mean for GCHQ or the MoD? One of the things that has struck me since I retired from the civil service is how often there are unrealistic initial costings of government projects. Rose*, 75, retired, former civil servant, London

‘The north needs opportunities all over’

If they press ahead with this, it has to be a virtual, loosely knit hub because the north needs opportunities all over – in the north-east, Knowsley and Doncaster – and there are real challenges in getting these areas to work together collaboratively.

The north is not a single entity; it is often very territorial and regional. And what do you do about the coastal communities and the neglected areas?

I like Andy Burnham, but I think this is a bit of a conceit to give him something exciting to say. I don’t think it’s the answer. I hope I’m wrong. I want to see it work, but there are other priorities, and I’m not convinced at all by devolution.

If it creates a building in Manchester and jobs for career civil servants, that’s not going to help kids in Hull. It’s not going to help young people where I grew up in Stockton-on-Tees. Phil, 55, university lecturer, Sheffield

‘It will give more power to communities’

I believe this is a great idea; it is finally giving more power to communities and focusing on what works for local areas. It worked in Manchester, and it will work throughout the country. I think it is good to get some focus up north, instead of all the power being down south in London.

I don’t think Andy Burnham is just focusing on Manchester. In his speech, he made it clear that the country should be fairer for everyone “across the land”. I am concerned that people won’t give him a chance. It takes a long time to see real change, and people across the country need to be patient. Mary, 26, works in the motor industry, Macclesfield

‘Hopefully, people will see tangible change on their doorstep’

I have been screaming for devolution since I discovered the concept. I think devolution is far and away the best thing for the country – especially because it hopefully means people will actually see real, tangible change on their doorstep – assuming Burnham delivers his every postcode growth promise.

As a young person, it consistently shocks me how few people my age have any kind of political education – or care to have any. If people, especially my generation, could buy back into politics, then I think the world would be a better place. Robert, 20, student, south Devon and south-east London

*Name has been changed