Sir Howard Bernstein's memorial service on 12 November will itself live a long time in the memory. The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester – one of Sir Howard's many legacies to the city he served all his life – was packed full of people who had the privilege to know him.

George Osborne said something remarkable in his address at the event: ‘I'll tell you what I think: I think Sir Howard was the single most important and influential public official in any city, and in any part of government – local and national – over the last three decades.'