‘Let North solve its own Brexit problems’
THE NORTH needs the powers “to be its own Brexit task force” and no longer dependent on central government to solve its problems, according to the leader of one of its biggest city councils.
Nick Forbes told the inaugural meeting of the Convention of the North that northern political leaders should be “disruptors” who “shake the system up” and bring about a radical change in the way the country operates.
The leader of Newcastle City Council told the audience in Gateshead: “That change won’t just be about a few more powers or responsibilities for elected leaders. It needs to be more fundamental and, eventually, wide ranging than that. That means looking at the pillars of state currently based in central London and making them more present and prominent in the North.
“There is no reason why the mechanics of government are best done from a square mile in London, or why the media have to be based in one city, or why we redistribute funds based on a system which rewards those who are already successful.
“A new relationship with central government, a fresh look at the constitutionally accepted way of doing things, a warning that things cannot be the same after Brexit. It’s that level of boldness we need to be reaching for. A demand for a North empowered enough to be its own Brexit task force, no longer dependent upon central government to eventually notice and step in.”
The delegates gathered at the event included Bradford and Wakefield council leaders Susan Hinchcliffe and Peter Box.
FORMER BREXIT Secretary David Davis is to appear on a platform along with Nigel Farage for the Leave Means Leave campaign, it has been announced.
Haltemprice and Howden MP Mr Davis, who walked out of Theresa May’s Cabinet in protest at her Chequers plan in July, said he was taking part in the rally in Bolton “to ensure Brexit is delivered and democracy upheld”.
Leave Means Leave is planning further rallies in Torquay, Bournemouth, Gateshead and Harrogate during October.
Also taking part in the event on September 22, the eve of Labour’s annual conference, is the party’s Leave-backing MP Kate Hoey, who rebelled to back the Prime Minister in a crunch Brexit vote in Westminster in July.
The Bolton rally is the first of a series of high-profile Leave Means Leave events as the battle hots up over the Brexit deal, including what the group said would be a “major” rally at the Conservative conference in Birmingham on September 30.
Mr Davis said: “I am joining the Leave Means Leave rally in Bolton as a matter of principle – to ensure Brexit is delivered and democracy upheld.
“I look forward to sharing a platform with other politicians from across the political spectrum to support this cause.”
He added: “The Government’s Chequers proposal doesn’t meet the requirements of the referendum. We may be out of Europe but we would still be run by Europe. We must pursue a Canada-style deal which the EU has already made clear they are agreeable to.
“If this is not possible, Britain can still thrive with a World Trade Deal under WTO rules.”