Editor calls for Ministry of the North as the one solution to systemic regional inequality

A CAMPAIGN led by The Yorkshire Post yesterday picked up a national award following a public vote run by the News Media Association.

Power Up The North – a call to arms carried by almost 40 local and regional newspapers across the North of England – was selected by members of the public in an open poll as the winner of the Making A Difference Award.

It is the latest accolade for this newspaper’s flagship campaign which has, for the past two consecutive years, been awarded the Society of Editors’ Campaign of the year award.

Launched on June 10, 2019, the campaign – carried in newspapers in Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Leeds, Preston, Wigan and Blackpool, to name but a few – was strategically timed to coincide with the start of the Conservative Party leadership race and a likely forthcoming General Election.

Focused on policy – not politics – the open letter, which gained widespread national media attention, called on all politicians on all sides to commit to an eight- point plan designed to pave the way for regional inequalities – the North/ South divide – to be addressed.

The demands ranged from investment in transport to the devolution of powers from Westminster to the regions.

On receiving the award, editor James Mitchinson said: “It feels somewhat ironic that Power Up The North should be recognised as the campaign to have made the most difference in the week when northern leaders were left in the sidings as the Government briefed its favoured London media about planned lockdown restrictions destined for the North.”

“On more than one occasion I have received compliments on the campaign and the subsequent shift in political rhetoric – Levelling Up Agenda – that it catalysed but it is quite clear that there remains so much work still to do if we are to make a real difference.”

Asked what he felt would be the one thing that would create the gear- change he believes is necessary, Mr Mitchinson called for a new Government department for the North of England.

“It is clear to me that until we have a fully fledged Ministry for the North, in the North, led by a Cabinet Minister, we will continue to be marginalised and stereotyped by policy makers as a postindustrial wasteland.”