'Council of the North' uniting so the voices of its people will be heard

ANDY BURNHAM

A MAJOR transport summit has agreed that a representative body of political, business and other leaders should be set up to speak with one voice for the North.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham hailed the conclusions of the meeting in Leeds, which concluded that the new body is needed to bring the Northern perspective to crucial long-term issues currently being debated, such as Brexit and transport funding.

It will also be able to make the case for further devolution of power from Westminster to the North of England.

The summit called on Government to honour the promises it has already made to the North to improve rail infrastructure and pledged to build a broad-based campaign, working with Northern Members of Parliament, to win Parliamentary backing for its demands.

The new pan-Northern body, already being dubbed by some as a "Council of the North", could have a critical role to play in forthcoming Budget and Brexit discussions.

Mr Burnham said: "Today's unprecedented gathering of Northern political and business leaders sends a clear message: the North is getting organised and is ready to get its voice heard more loudly than ever before.

"It is time now for the North to pool its political influence and show a real willingness to use it, like London, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been doing in recent times.

"Westminster has failed the North of England but in the past we have struggled to speak with one clear voice on its unfair decisions.

"With the change in the Parliamentary arithmetic, we have a chance to win more support for our cause.

"By working together with our council leaders, businesses and MPs - alongside trade unions and the community and voluntary sector - we can ensure a strong voice and a fair deal for the North. If we get this right, a new 'Council of the North' could mark a real change to the politics of our country."

The unprecedented gathering of business and political leaders was called after the Transport Secretary cast doubt over long promised improvements to Northern railways.

Leaders at the summit demanded a fair funding deal from the Government to help rebalance and revitalise the economy of the North.

The agreement was signed by the leaders of Greater Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle.