Election rivals: We’ll switch
THE MAJOR political parties have promised to promote the interests of the North ahead of the General Election after being challenged by the region’s newspapers to turn rhetoric into action.
The Manifesto for the North, urging the next government to promote northern interests in five key areas including transport and trade, has been issued by the Halifax Courier and other titles.
The ambitious document – the first of its kind – puts the people of the North who have “wit and grit” at the centre of all proposals and pushes for power to be put in their hands to make the decisions which will impact them.
Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry said the Tory Government has “done more than any other to truly maximise the power of the North”.
He cited the 50 per cent of people in the North now represented by elected metro mayors and the pledge to fund the Manchester to Leeds route of Northern Powerhouse Rail.
He said: “Five years on from the launch of the Northern Powerhouse, this government is renewing its commitment to the people of the North so they have the support they need to be at the leading edge of a confident, global Britain when we get Brexit done.”
Liberal Democrat Tim Farron said: “It’s time infrastructure in the north is no longer neglected as it has been by the Tories. “The Liberal Democrats will not leave the North of England behind.
Most importantly our party will safeguard and protect regional growth across the north of England from a disastrous Brexit.
“Our policy is unambiguous, we will stop Brexit and we will ensure that we have a stable economy in order to support regional growth.
“I’m proud to say that a vote for the Liberal Democrats means increasing the electrification of our rail network, committing to HS2 alongside new lines from
East to West, opening smaller stations and improving current ones, as well as greater powers and funding to local authorities across the North of England.”
Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership representing civic and business leaders, said the election on December 12 “cannot be and must not be purely about Brexit”. He said: “It must also be about the transformational chance to rebalance the UK.
“I believe this election will be won or lost here in the North.”
I believe this election will be won or lost here in the North.