Rotheram’s call for Powerhouse action
METRO mayor contender Steve Rotheram has welcomed the launch of ex-chancellor George Osborne’s Northern Powerhouse Partnership but accused him having ‘failed’ to give fair funding to the North during his time in Government.
Mr Rotheram, MP for Walton, said he hoped Mr Osborne’s announcement meant that ‘great cities such as Liverpool and Manchester’ receive ‘vital’ transport investment.
He said that it was for the Government to prove wrong his doubts that the Northern Powerhouse would ever come to fruition.
The Labour MP is in the running to become Liverpool City Region metro mayor representing Halton and five other boroughs.
Tatton and Conservative MP Mr Osborne revealed he was to launch the not-for-profit think tank on Friday.
Its aim is to boost investment in the North.
Mr Rotheram said: “I am pleased that the Northern Powerhouse appears to be back on the agenda.
“George Osborne must now convince the Prime Minister and the Government to deliver on their promise and commit to the concept.
“Westminster has consistently failed to provide the north with fair funding to develop national infrastructure projects – especially when George Osborne himself was Chancellor – as a result this part of the country lacks the transport connectivity and capacity necessary to balance the economy and bridge the NorthSouth divide.”