Business and political leaders from around the North have added pressure on the main political parties to outline their visions for the region in their General Election campaigns.
Two more bodies representing different parts of the North have called on Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians to prioritise the North, adding to similar calls earlier this week.
Today sees the publication of a Manifesto for the North, which sets out a new vision for the North of England and outlines a list of demands for the next Government to boost the region’s economy.
And the main party leaders have been challenged to come to the North during the election campaign to outline policies that will make a difference to the area.
The Convention of North and NP11 groups have joined forces to publish the first ever Manifesto for the North, a five-point plan that calls for major policy shifts on education and training, rebalancing the economy, increasing transport spending, backing a green revolution, and devolution of international trade activities.
Roger Marsh, chair of the Leeds City Region LEP, said: “Our region led the first Industrial Revolution and today it can become the crucible for the fourth - and first sustainable - industrial revolution, but only if we take critical action now.
“This Manifesto for the North sets out the direction that we need to take, and marks the North coming together with one voice to tell the incoming Government what our ambition is for a thriving Northern Powerhouse.
“Our message to all political parties is clear; the North is ready to lead the transformation required for net zero 2050, enhanced productivity and a truly inclusive Great Britain. We stand united as a region. For the benefit of our future of generations, we ask the next Government, and politicians of all political persuasions to work with us and ensure this plan is every success that it deserves to be.”
Most Read
Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes added: “Our North is one made up of many different and distinct places, but by working together like this we have shown we are a powerful region which is prepared to speak with a one voice and do what is needed to create opportunity for the future.
“We are united in our shared belief that the North is central to the rebuilding of the 海角视频. By coming together on a cross-geography and cross-party basis we have proven that our ambition for our communities transcends traditional boundaries.
“We need the next Government to be on our side. If they are prepared to commit to our game changing manifesto we are clearly ready to deliver.”
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Whether it is transport, education or opportunities, people across the Liverpool City Region and the North have had to settle for second best for far too long.
“The Manifesto for the North offers radical, practical solutions to rebalance the economy and address the decades of neglect and underfunding that has held back Northern communities, alongside the pernicious impacts of austerity, which must now end.”
And Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, said: “People here feel a deep sense of frustration that our political system has not worked as well for us as it has for others. It has left us with a second-class transport service, a housing crisis and a deep North-South divide.
“But, despite that, Northern political and business leaders share a positive belief in the potential of our region and its incredible people. We are optimistic about our future. The fact that we have come together across geographical and political divides to make this unprecedented and united call for change is a clear demonstration of the strength of our feeling.”
Don’t miss
Elsewhere, the Northern Powerhouse Partnership - a lobbying group set up by former Chancellor George Osborne and backed by a number of big Northern employers - has called on Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and Jo Swinson to come to the North to make a keynote speech addressing the critical issues that face the region.
In an open letter to the party leaders, the Partnership says: “The prize for whichever party that wins the election is huge.
“This election cannot be and must not be purely about Brexit. It must also be about the transformational chance to rebalance the 海角视频 and create a country that works for everyone.
“When the parties publish their manifestos, we will publish an independent view on what it means for the North and highlight where your commitments could have gone further or if any of your proposals will put back the cause of rebalancing Britain for the better.”
Earlier this week the North East England Chamber of Commerce wrote to party leaders calling for urgent action to close regional divides in the 海角视频 rather than more “warm words”, while the Transport for the North organisation made a pre-election demand for HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail to be delivered together to unlock the region’s economic potential.