Prime Minister Boris Johnson 'fizzing with enthusiasm' for the North, says MP

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is said to be “fizzing with enthusiasm” about the North of England’s role in a post-coronavirus economic rebuild as new polling also suggests support for more training, transport upgrades and higher taxes in the region.
Boris Johnson. Picture: PA.Boris Johnson. Picture: PA.
Boris Johnson. Picture: PA.

The Northern Powerhouse Partnership has released the results of surveys which informed its policy proposals for Government, published in Saturday’s exclusive reporting by The Yorkshire Post.

Meanwhile Jason McCartney, the Conservative MP for the Colne Valley, said it was him who raised the subject of investment in the North and ‘levelling-up’ the economy with Mr Johnson during a call with the influential 1922 Committee of backbenchers last week.

Read More
Government 'stands ready to work together' in North's role in economic recovery
Jason McCartney. Picture: Simon Hulme.Jason McCartney. Picture: Simon Hulme.
Jason McCartney. Picture: Simon Hulme.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“As a northerner myself and as a West Yorkshire MP, I’m absolutely clear that it’s up here in the North that we must start.”

He said the Prime Minister was “fizzing with enthusiasm” during the talk, not just about projects such as North Powerhouse Rail, but on upgrading other parts of the region’s transport infrastructure too.

Mr McCartney also mentioned the ability of devolved power to shape and influence areas’ futures.

He said: “It’s very reassuring to hear directly from the Prime Minister that that’s going to be a major part of our economic building when we emerge from this terrible crisis.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The partnership’s online polling of 1,767 people in the North shows that over a half of those who gave an opinion supported increasing taxes or reducing spending in other areas to fund investing in rebuilding jobs and infrastructure when the crisis abates (55.7 per cent).

There was backing for more powers for Mayors when the pandemic is over - of those who gave an opinion, over half of Northerners supported the move (53 per cent).

Eight out of every ten supported the provision of training for those who have lost their jobs or left school during the Coronavirus lockdown.

Half supported building new roads and railways.

The partnership of business and civic leaders on Saturday made a series of policy recommendations for ministers.