politics
Liberal Democrat leader criticizes Manchester devolution plan
The Liberal Democrat leader said a proposed Manchester outpost of 10 Downing Street risks creating a new power concentration and overlooking communities outside London and Manchester. The remarks target devolution proposals from a leading Labour figure.
Jul 9, 5:30 PM·1m read1 source
The IndependentAudio version
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The Liberal Democrat leader said a proposed Manchester outpost of 10 Downing Street risks creating a new power concentration and overlooking communities outside London and Manchester. The leader, speaking during a visit to Torbay in Devon, stated that the devolution proposals could push the government further away from areas such as the South West.
The leader also said there is a Britain beyond the rail line connecting Euston and Manchester Piccadilly.
Devolution proposals A former metro mayor used a speech last week to pledge to rewire the British state by handing greater decision-making to local leaders. The flagship proposal called for an outpost of 10 Downing Street in Manchester that would serve as a nerve centre for priorities including reindustrialisation and regeneration.
The Liberal Democrat leader said London and Manchester are engines of innovation but warned the plan would overlook communities from the Devon coast to Swansea and Shetland.
Gaza statement On Thursday the former metro mayor issued a video apologising for the Labour Party response on Gaza and stating the party was not good enough. The intervention came as nominations opened to replace the current Labour leader, with the former metro mayor the only candidate.
The Liberal Democrat leader said the former metro mayor has a short window to turn the government around and build trust with communities across the United Kingdom.
