Leadership hopeful reveals plan for major party overhaul
A FORMER Rochdale councillor running for the leadership of the Liberal Democrats has outlined radical plans to reform the party – including relocating its headquarters to the north.
Wera Hobhouse, who is the MP for Bath, says the ‘obsession’ with London shown by successive governments has resulted in the ‘worst regional inequality we’ve ever seen.’
If she were to get the top job, the Lib Dems would get its ‘head out of the Westminster bubble’ and focus on serving ‘held-back’ communities throughout the regions.
But it is the north west, and particularly Greater Manchester and Liverpool, that remain close to Ms Hobhouse’s heart.
It is where she worked as a councillor and teacher for 25 years and raised her four children, having moved from her home country of Germany in 1990.
And should she win the top job ahead of interim Lib Dem leader Ed Davey and Layla Moran, the north will be at the top of her agenda ‘from day one.’
Ms Hobhouse told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “A lot has been done in and around London to address issues of social deprivation, but as soon as you get out of the London area these held back communities, and many young people are and feel forgotten.
“Listen, London is great, but it shouldn’t be so great and big at the expense of the rest of the country, and that is what I saw living and working in Greater Manchester – and I think it’s only getting worse.
“Why is it acceptable that life expectancy in the north is two years less than London? Or that pensioners up here are £78 per week worse off than the rest of the UK? Or that a ticket for a tram in Manchester is more expensive than London’s underground?
“How can it be right that council tax in Greater Manchester for a property worth £100,000 is more than for a property in London worth £300,000?
“It’s not. Britain is bigger than London, and someone needs to champion our regions. That’s why I will be a leader for the north.”
The slogan of Ms Hobhouse’s campaign is ‘New Direction, Fresh Inspiration,’ and that is exactly what she is proposing by moving 85pc of the party’s operations to the north.
Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield and Leeds have been touted as possible destinations, while the party would also establish regional hubs to spread opportunities and support throughout the country.
“Our party has to get its head out of the Westminster bubble, it’s as simple as that,” said Ms Hobhouse.