The Great North has today called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s Government to build a new partnership with Northern leaders that puts devolution at the heart of national renewal.
In an open letter to the Prime Minister, Northern mayors and leaders call for a devolution-first approach that gives Northern leaders the powers, investment and freedoms needed to drive growth, strengthen communities and deliver greater prosperity across the country.
It argues that devolution has already transformed local leadership across the North, but that the next step must be a more fundamental shift in the relationship between central government and England’s largest economic region.
Burnham, a founding member of The Great North when Mayor of Greater Manchester (pictured), has made devolution the centre piece of his agenda for government, including establishing a ‘Number 10 North’ to rebalance power and prosperity across the country.
The Great North says the North should be recognised as a strategic partner in the governance of the United Kingdom, alongside the devolved nations, with a stronger collective voice in national decision-making that reflects its scale, economic weight and democratic leadership.
It sets out five priorities for Government:
- Putting devolution at the heart of national policy;
- Building a globally competitive Northern economy, recognising the region’s unique strengths;
- Unlocking investment through better transport and connectivity;
- Promoting the North internationally as a powerhouse of innovation, culture and industry; and
- Ensuring every community shares in growth and opportunity.
Chair of The Great North and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “The North is mighty. We power Britain’s industries, produce world-leading innovation, create culture that is recognised around the world and are home to millions of talented people with huge ambition.
“Andy Burnham knows the North and the massive potential at our disposal. He helped shape The Great North and, as Mayor, consistently argued that Westminster had to trust places like ours with more power and responsibility.
“Now he has the opportunity to turn those arguments into lasting change – working [with] us to create a more prosperous future for the North of England and the United Kingdom.
“The next chapter of devolution must be about a new relationship between national government and Northern leaders, recognised as a strategic partner in the governance of the UK, alongside the devolved nations.”
McGuinness herself was even quicker out of the blocks, having already sent her own letter to Burnham yesterday in which she stated: ““The people of the North East are incredibly proud of their local identity. We have a strong record of working together to get things done. If the people here begin to see more of their hometown improving, their bills coming down and their children finding opportunity close to home, they won’t simply believe in devolution. They’ll believe politics can work again.
“You are the first prime minister in British history who genuinely believes in using devolution to tear down the barriers to local growth. If we get this right, we will finally show people what take back control looks like. The North East is ready to work with you on this.”
